Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Squamous Cell Carcinoma:
16% of skin cases - The second
most common form of skin cancer,
squamous cell carcinoma is a
tumor found in the outer layer
of skin. Like basal cell
carcinomas, squamous cell
carcinomas tend to occur on
areas of chronic sun exposure.
Unlike basal cell carcinomas,
they have the potential to
spread or metastasize and
therefore need to be
aggressively treated, especially
if they have recurred after
previous treatment and
especially in certain locations
(eyelids, lips, ears,
genitalia). Small sandpaper like
growths called solar or actinic
keratoses occur in sun-exposed
patients, starting as early as
their 20s, especially those with
fair complexions and a history
of frequent sun exposure. These
actinic keratoses should also be
treated to prevent their
potential transition into a
squamous cell carcinoma.
Squamous cell
carcinoma, the second most
common skin cancer after basal
cell carcinoma, afflicts more
than 200,000 Americans each
year. It arises from the
epidermis and resembles the
squamous cells that comprise
most of the upper layers of
skin. Squamous cell cancers may
occur on all areas of the body
including the mucous membranes,
but are most common in areas
exposed to the sun.
Although
squamous cell carcinomas usually
remain confined to the epidermis
for some time, they eventually
penetrate the underlying tissues
if not treated. In a small
percentage of cases, they spread
(metastasize) to distant tissues
and organs. When this happens,
they can be fatal. Squamous cell
carcinomas that metastasize most
often arise on sites of chronic
inflammatory skin conditions or
on the mucous membranes or lips.
What Causes
It
Chronic
exposure to sunlight causes most
cases of squamous cell
carcinoma. That is why tumors
appear most frequently on
sun-exposed parts of the body:
the face, neck, bald scalp,
hands, shoulders, arms, and
back. The rim of the ear and the
lower lip are especially
vulnerable to the development of
these cancers.
Squamous cell
carcinomas may also occur where
skin has suffered certain kinds
of injury: burns, scars,
long-standing sores, sites
previously exposed to X-rays or
certain chemicals (such as
arsenic and petroleum
by-products). In addition,
chronic skin inflammation or
medical conditions that suppress
the immune system over an
extended period of time may
encourage development of
squamous cell carcinoma.
Occasionally,
squamous cell carcinoma arises
spontaneously on what appears to
be normal, healthy, undamaged
skin. Some researchers believe
that a tendency to develop this
cancer may be inherited.
Informational
Links
-
Patient's information for
Skin Cancer
(Non-Melanoma)
(CancerNet) Information
about the disease, staging,
and treatment overviews. It
is reviewed each month by a
panel of medical experts.
-
Basal Cell
Carcinoma
(Wessex
Cancer Trust, UK)
information sheet including
pictures of skin cancer.
-
Basal Cell
Carcinoma - Skin Cancer and
Benign Tumor Image Atlas
(Loyola
University, Chicago, USA)
-
Basal Cell
Carcinoma and Squamous Cell
Carcinoma
(The Skin
Cancer Foundation, USA) This
page has information about
non-melanoma skin cancer and
includes pictures of skin
cancers and warning signs to
look out for
-
Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer
(CancerHelp UK) Information
about the cancer, diagnosis,
treatment and living with
the disease.
-
Squamous
Cell Carcinoma
(Wessex Cancer Trust, UK)
information sheet including
pictures of skin cancer.
-
Squamous
Cell Carcinoma - Skin Cancer
and Benign Tumor Image Atlas
(Loyola
University, Chicago, USA)
-
Understanding
Cancers of the Skin
(BACUP, UK) An on-line
booklet about basal cell
carcinoma and squamous cell
carcinoma
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