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Regarding a biopsy diagnosis, what exactly does the ...


Sent to Health Experts March 02, 2006 2:24 p.m.

Regarding a biopsy diagnosis, what exactly does the following mean? "Squamous Cell Carcinoma, moderately well differentiated, invasive, keratinizing". I've looked up the squamous cell carcinoma, but need to understand everything starting with moderately.

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Female , Age: 85

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March 02, 2006 2:35 p.m. (10 minutes and 14 seconds later)
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Your doctor should have sat down with you and explained the diagnosis and explained your options. I have done a little work in this area but your consultant will know what he can do in your individual case.

Carcinomas are disorders involving cells that are multiplying out of control. These cells will lose normal function. The less differentiation, the worse the prognosis. The fact that your SCC is well differentiated is a good sign as it means that treatment will have a reasonable chance of success. Basically the lesion is made up of lots of different types of cells.

Invasive, is not so good. It means that the cancer is not staying in one place but will move through the adjacent tissue. Surgery will need to ensure that all traces are removed. This will leave a scar and depending upon the location and size , may involve some plastic surgery to restore skin appearance. Keratinizing just describes the type of skin cell which is being formed. So in English, the layers are thickening.

The main concern is the invasive nature of the SCC and that they tend to occur in visible places so cosmetic appearance after surgery may be a concern.


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Regards


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