timeline for squamous cell growth

@pat25: I can understand your concerns. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends most SCC be removed as soon as possible after diagnosis; the general timeframe is "within weeks" and can be up to 8 weeks depending on the risk level of the tumor's classification. Some SCCs are classified as lower risk while others are considered more aggressive.

It might help to get the pathology report of the biopsy that had been performed so you can view and possibly discuss the findings with your surgeon/dermatologist to see if intervention is indicated for a more expedient removal and if they can possibly fit you in sooner due to those findings. If it is determined that the findings correspond to a higher risk potential and this practice cannot accommodate you sooner than the two months, ask if they could please refer you to another practice who could see you earlier. If the findings correspond to a lower risk, waiting the eight weeks - with the possibilty to have you on a cancelation wait list - may be an acceptable alternative.

Does that seem like a reasonable consideration?

@pat24 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! Seeing that spot any time you look in the mirror must be disconcerting for you, right?! And now you need to wait for excision. I agree with @grammato3 about letting them know to place you on a cancellation list. In my experience, being flexible for getting in has often resulted in a quicker appointment.

Are they doing a MOHS procedure?
Ginger

SKIN, RIGHT SHIN, SHAVE BIOPSY:
- INVASIVE SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA WELL-DIFFERENTIATED WITH
KERATOACANTHOMATOUS GROWTH PATTERN, TRANSECTED
That is my lab result from my July 2026 appointment with my dermatologist. They have me scheduled for Mohs surgery on November 16th 2026. I’m on the waiting list that is very long. I’m so so nervous about the long wait. I emailed my doctor and he said he would be concerned if it is over 6 months. This still makes me nervous.
Thanks for your advice
Carisma

Please advise me on this squamous cell carcinoma

@carisma: Please see my response to the post you initiated on this: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/squamous-cell-carcinoma-7/

Hello, I'm new here, so any tips will help.
Anxiety & paranoia are with me every day. I've not had a cancer diagnosis yet, but I have hundreds of keratosis, from feet to head. How does a doctor, given a certain time limit for each patient he sees, do an adequate job checking out the many and varied lesions covering a patients body? I just had my annual check, and t h e dermatologist gave me maybe ten minutes of her time and that was it. I brought up the new lesions that have grown on my face & scalp, and she barely gave them much attention. Nor has she ever, in three years of seeing her, mentioned any kind of treatment.
My hyper-vigilance comes from my mom having the same issues. Squamous Cell Carcinoma was her death diagnosis at age 69. I'm now 77. A few of the lesions have done some weird things and I'm scared . I also wonder if these lesions are able to grow internally and escape detection? I've applied to see a new dermatologist, but I live in an extremely rural area, and choices are limited.
Yes, I'm concerned about growth rate. Feedback would help !

@s2vera: I do see that you are new to the skin cancer group and I'm reassured that you have not had any diagnoses of any basal, squamous or melanoma and you have been diligent about seeing your dermatolgist for screenings - so that's actually very encouraging!

Generally dermatologists are well trained to detect moles or lesions that look suspicious or unusual, with skin checks frequently performed with the use of a device called a dermascope - a type of magnifying glass to examine the skin more closely. As individuals get older, it's not unusual to develop the scaly spots you described, the most common of which are seborrheic keratosis described more fully here: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/seborrheic-keratosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20353878. These do not have the capacity to grow internally. Additionally, while it must have been quite devastating to have lost your mother at such a relatively young age of 69 due to squamous cell carcinoma, this is not a directly inherited condition; furthermore, in the past routine skin cancer screenings and public sun-safety awareness were largely lacking. Now that the public is more informed about the importance of skin protection from UV rays and undergoing skin checks - such as you have been doing - your risk is considerably lower.

Here are some important sun safety tips to continue to follow: https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/be-sun-savvy-and-protect-yourself-from-skin-cancer

Has this information helped ease your anxiety?

My husband is 84. Diabetic, Alzheimer and several other issues. He was recently diagnosed with squamous cell. It is very lager. It has been biopsied and diagnosed. The surgeon did say she did not recommend surgery for this patient. Unfortunately he had refused to go to the doctor about it. It started approximately 2.5 yrs ago. He is currently with palliative care and we have talked about hospice(if hospice excepts him)
My question is he has an appointment with a dermatologist later this month, considering the length of time and the surgeons recommendations is the visit to the dermatologist of value. It difficult for him to get around. From what I have been reading I’m inclined to cancel the appointment.

@grammato3
Thank you! Yes, your comments were reassuring, yet when I'm alone with my thoughts I feel like Freddy Kruger is right outside my door.
How did my mom's Sebhorrheic Keratosis morph into Squamous Cell? Additionally, she was never a sun worshipper. Our fair-skin, blue eyes and light hair color didn't mix well with UV rays. So I left my home in CA to live in CO at 10,000 ft. elevation. Obviously UV rays were my last concern, however now I live inside with a bottle of vitamin D. Freddy Kruger and his friend, Mr. G. Reaper have been seen peeking in my windows.
I do see a therapist 1x a week, but this is for grief, as I lost two sons at 2 different times within the last six years.
Thank you again for your knowledge and comments.
I do have more to add, but I'm trying to keep this brief. :●

@ggshin: I'm so sorry to hear your husband is going through these medical difficulties, and by extension so are you by being in a supportive role to him, so I welcome you here with sympathetic arms.

I'm a little unclear as to the timeline here, so perhaps you can help clarify this for me. Your husband was diagnosed with SCC (squamous cell carcinoma) 2 1/2 years ago? When did the medical practitioner advise against surgery, which I imagine was Mohs, and what was the reason for not treating it? Is it possibly because your husband has been refusing further treatment, which he would have the right to do if he had been deemed to have medical decision making capacity. Proceeding with treatment would not be against palliative care, but would be if enrolled in hospice. So it seems there are a lot of "spinning wheels" going on here and you may be best to consider these options with the hospice provider. Have you discussed this with the hospice care team?