1. < Skin Health

what's "well defined" Squamous Cell ?

Posted by jgrummerf @jgrummerf, Oct 6, 2023

I'm a 68 year male who lives in the Sunshine State. I've had basil
cell on the ear before and the cut a slice off and send it for evaluation.
Problem Solved.

Several months back I was getting a scab on the top of head and went to see my PCP but this times the biopsy was squamous cell, invasive and well defined. Really not sure what either of those terms means. They sound contradictory. Any insight would be helpful.
Thank you ! James

Sorry if I posted in the wrong area

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windyshores | @windyshores | Oct 7, 2023

I cannot answer in depth but I do know that "well-defined" is always a good thing. If it is invasive, does the doc mean potentially invasive? Invasive locally? Has it spread? My mother had a similar diagnosis and it was no big deal after removal, and the "well-defined" meant less of a threat. But I don't know the details of your lesion. Can you ask your doc to explain?

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1 reply
jgrummerf | @jgrummerf | Oct 7, 2023

thank you for your reply ... 'well defined' is GOOD as you stated. My first visit isn't until 10/17. he seems qualified, went to Penn State. By brother in law had it and he was in surgery for 3.5 hours and 22 stiches, it was on top of his head.
Again thanks... James

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Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Oct 7, 2023

@jgrummerf Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Hearing skin cancer can certainly pull us up short, can't it? I have dealt with basal cell of different types, squamous of different types, and melanoma. And, I have the surgery scars to prove it! Earned every one of them.

The invasive squamous from last year was on the back of my right arm, and required a 6-stitch MOHS surgery. Earlier that year was basal in my left eyebrow, and now I have a spot just biopsied on left nostril that most likely come back as invasive squamous. As @windyshores mentioned, "well defined" is good! The anodular basal cell on my collarbone had spread under my skin, and needed an awesome lightning-strike looking MOHS scar to clear, and the amelanotic melanoma on right forearm needed a 32 stitch horseshoe shaped incision to excise. There are others, too, but these are the most impressive LOL

I hope you will let us know what your doctor tells you on the 17th, so we may support you.
Gingert

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1 reply
sup7401 | @sup7401 | Oct 10, 2023

Squamous cell is considered invasive, because IT IS when not treated.
Well defined means, I believe, they think they have excised all the edges..... So that puts you into safer territory.... The dermatologist is your new buddy. Regular visits, early detection... Don't let growths go untreated. Squamous cell used to be thought to be not so bad... Not anymore. Get it off! Good luck

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2 replies
windyshores | @windyshores | Oct 11, 2023
In reply to @sup7401 "Squamous cell is considered invasive, because IT IS when not treated. Well defined means, I believe,..." + (show)
@sup7401

Squamous cell is considered invasive, because IT IS when not treated.
Well defined means, I believe, they think they have excised all the edges..... So that puts you into safer territory.... The dermatologist is your new buddy. Regular visits, early detection... Don't let growths go untreated. Squamous cell used to be thought to be not so bad... Not anymore. Get it off! Good luck

Jump to this post

Well-defined refers to the lesion itself. If it is well-defined, it usually doesn't have the characteristics that encourage spread. My mother's doc told me that. My mother's grew huge, especially during COVID when I could not monitor, but the doc said it is shallow and well-defined.

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sup7401 | @sup7401 | Oct 13, 2023
In reply to @windyshores "I cannot answer in depth but I do know that "well-defined" is always a good thing...." + (show)
@windyshores

I cannot answer in depth but I do know that "well-defined" is always a good thing. If it is invasive, does the doc mean potentially invasive? Invasive locally? Has it spread? My mother had a similar diagnosis and it was no big deal after removal, and the "well-defined" meant less of a threat. But I don't know the details of your lesion. Can you ask your doc to explain?

Jump to this post

Invasive is a word to describe the POTENTIAL of melanoma or squamous...
The potential of these cancers when NOT TREATED is great...
If you're was invasive, you would know already from your doctor... They would be checked by for spread...lymph node biopsies, etc...
I was diagnosed with INVASIVE MELANOMA 10 yrs ago... Lymph nodes negative... Frequent derm visits... And still here.
Invasive is a descriptive word... Trust the docs

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jgrummerf | @jgrummerf | Oct 13, 2023
In reply to @sup7401 "Squamous cell is considered invasive, because IT IS when not treated. Well defined means, I believe,..." + (show)
@sup7401

Squamous cell is considered invasive, because IT IS when not treated.
Well defined means, I believe, they think they have excised all the edges..... So that puts you into safer territory.... The dermatologist is your new buddy. Regular visits, early detection... Don't let growths go untreated. Squamous cell used to be thought to be not so bad... Not anymore. Get it off! Good luck

Jump to this post

Thanks to everyone who replied. I saw a surgeon. He believes I caught it early. I'm on chemo cream and will be checked every month for 3 months. Having cancer before,
Makes it scary. But my prognosis is good ✔

REPLY
jgrummerf | @jgrummerf | Oct 13, 2023
In reply to @gingerw "@jgrummerf Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Hearing skin cancer can certainly pull us up short, can't..." + (show)
@gingerw

@jgrummerf Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Hearing skin cancer can certainly pull us up short, can't it? I have dealt with basal cell of different types, squamous of different types, and melanoma. And, I have the surgery scars to prove it! Earned every one of them.

The invasive squamous from last year was on the back of my right arm, and required a 6-stitch MOHS surgery. Earlier that year was basal in my left eyebrow, and now I have a spot just biopsied on left nostril that most likely come back as invasive squamous. As @windyshores mentioned, "well defined" is good! The anodular basal cell on my collarbone had spread under my skin, and needed an awesome lightning-strike looking MOHS scar to clear, and the amelanotic melanoma on right forearm needed a 32 stitch horseshoe shaped incision to excise. There are others, too, but these are the most impressive LOL

I hope you will let us know what your doctor tells you on the 17th, so we may support you.
Gingert

Jump to this post

Thank you Ginger. My prognosis looks good as the the surgeon believes I got it early. Chemo Cream and followed up visits. Than you.

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