The founder and lead surgeon of the Las Colinas Cancer Center talks about a recent finding.

Irving, TX – Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma is the second most commonly diagnosed form of skin cancer in the United States. While often highly treatable, this disease can sometimes be more aggressive than expected. When that is the case, understanding the aggressiveness early can lead to life-saving interventions and provide patients and their healthcare providers a more definitive prognosis.

Determining which cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas are more likely to be aggressive than others is a real concern for healthcare providers. A recent study into a simple protein biomarker may offer the much-needed insights to guide prognosis and treatment.

“Researchers have found that the biomarker known as CD133 can offer prognostic value in this form of skin cancer much like it does in other forms of the disease,” says Dr. Gregory Echt, founder and lead surgeon at the Las Colinas Cancer Center. “A high level of this marker in tissue samples may indicate a more aggressive case. Should the findings hold up to further research scrutiny, it may soon become much easier to determine which cases might require more intervention to prevent the development of advanced-stage tumors that can be especially difficult to treat.”

Skin cancer is a very common and often highly treatable form of this disease. People who are at risk for its development are urged to make screening appointments with their healthcare providers. Early intervention can often lead to highly effective treatments in most forms of skin cancer. The key, however, lies in finding and treating this condition as quickly as possible. In the case of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, a simple protein may offer insights to guide more effective treatments down the road.

About Las Colinas Cancer Center
Las Colinas Cancer Center, a Choice Cancer Care Treatment Center, is committed to providing the personalized, compassionate treatment that can make all the difference in cancer care. Our state-of-the-art facility, located in North Texas, offers those battling cancer and blood disorders a safe haven where they can find professional care from some of the nation’s most experienced oncology specialists in a supportive, caring environment with an integrated approach to treatment.