What Is Early Detection?

I am pretty sure I have squamous cell. I am just waiting for the biopsy to come back and that could take up to a month! I heard the survival rate is really good with early detection. What is considered early detection?

With squamous cell early detection would mean being able to remove the entire lesion with clear margins (or tissue) and having good healing with no recurring lump or ulceration in the area.  Squamous carcinomas usually spread to surrounding tissue before ever moving to any other area but in areas of little tissue such as cartilage it can invade deep into the tissue.  An example would be on the ear or nose so having it treated when it is still small would be key.

Thank you for your reply. What is considered small (the mole is above my lip )?

Well if it is a mole than it is not a squamous cell carcinoma.  A mole is most likely benign, but can have atypical cells or at it's worse be a melanoma.  A biopsy report is normally back as early as a week but could take up to ten days to 2 weeks but it shouldn't take a month.  Call you doctor's office after 7 days to see if the results are in.

Poor choice of words, I mean growth. The doctor said he was pretty sure it was likely squamous. The doctor said it could take up to four weeks to get results back because it is a teaching practice.  The growth is between one half and one centimeter. Is that considered small??

More importantly than the size is the location and how much tissue it has invaded.  As I had mentioned if it is in an area with a lot of cartilage such as an ear or nose it can be tricky.  But there is a procedure called mohs surgery which is very effective if it goes deeper or invades a lot of surrounding tissue.  Most skin cancers (SCC & BCC) are removed without incident, heal and never cause a problem but follow up is important once skin cancers are diagnosed as you have a greater propensity to develop other skin cancers, plus healing of the area is important. 

Thank you. That makes me feel better.