Squamous-cell carcinoma: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 17:43, 18 February 2025

A type of skin cancer originating from squamous cells

Squamous-cell carcinoma (SCC) is a type of skin cancer that originates from the squamous cells, which are flat cells located in the outer part of the epidermis. It is one of the most common forms of skin cancer, second only to basal-cell carcinoma.

Pathophysiology[edit]

Squamous-cell carcinoma arises from the uncontrolled growth of abnormal squamous cells. These cells are found in the epidermis, the outermost layer of the skin, and are responsible for forming the surface of the skin. SCC can occur in any area of the body that has squamous cells, including the skin, lips, mouth, esophagus, bladder, prostate, lungs, vagina, and cervix.

Risk Factors[edit]

Several factors increase the risk of developing squamous-cell carcinoma:

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation: Prolonged exposure to UV radiation from the sun or tanning beds is a major risk factor.
Fair skin: Individuals with lighter skin, hair, and eye color are at higher risk.
Age: The risk increases with age, particularly in individuals over 50.
Immunosuppression: People with weakened immune systems, such as organ transplant recipients, are more susceptible.
History of skin cancer: A previous history of skin cancer increases the risk of developing SCC.

Clinical Presentation[edit]

Squamous-cell carcinoma often appears as a rough, scaly patch on the skin that may bleed or become crusty. It can also present as a firm red nodule or a flat sore with a scaly crust. SCCs are most commonly found on sun-exposed areas of the body, such as the face, ears, neck, lips, and backs of the hands.

Diagnosis[edit]

The diagnosis of squamous-cell carcinoma is typically made through a combination of physical examination and biopsy. During a biopsy, a small sample of the suspicious tissue is removed and examined under a microscope to confirm the presence of cancerous cells.

Treatment[edit]

Treatment options for squamous-cell carcinoma depend on the size, location, and stage of the cancer, as well as the patient's overall health. Common treatments include:

Surgical excision: The cancerous tissue is surgically removed.
Mohs surgery: A precise surgical technique used to remove skin cancer layer by layer.
Radiation therapy: High-energy rays are used to destroy cancer cells.
Cryotherapy: The cancerous cells are frozen using liquid nitrogen.
Topical chemotherapy: Medications are applied directly to the skin to kill cancer cells.

Prognosis[edit]

The prognosis for squamous-cell carcinoma is generally good, especially when detected early. Most cases can be cured with appropriate treatment. However, if left untreated, SCC can grow larger and spread to other parts of the body, becoming more difficult to treat.

Prevention[edit]

Preventive measures include:

Avoiding excessive sun exposure and using sunscreen with a high SPF.
Wearing protective clothing, hats, and sunglasses when outdoors.
Avoiding tanning beds.
Regular skin examinations by a healthcare professional.

Related pages[edit]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-'''Squamous-cell carcinoma''' (SCC), also known as '''squamous-cell cancer''', is a type of [[cancer]] that begins in the squamous cells. These cells are the flat, thin cells that make up the outer layer of the skin, known as the epidermis. However, squamous cells are also found in various other places in the body, including the lining of the respiratory and digestive tracts, and the lining of some organs. Therefore, SCC can occur in any of these areas, but is most commonly associated with skin cancer.
+{{Short description|A type of skin cancer originating from squamous cells}}
+{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
-== Causes and Risk Factors ==
+'''Squamous-cell carcinoma''' (SCC) is a type of [[skin cancer]] that originates from the squamous cells, which are flat cells located in the outer part of the [[epidermis]]. It is one of the most common forms of skin cancer, second only to [[basal-cell carcinoma]].
-The primary cause of squamous-cell carcinoma is exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, either from the sun or from artificial sources like tanning beds. This exposure causes damage to the DNA of skin cells, leading to abnormal cell growth. Other risk factors include:
-* Having a fair skin, light hair, and light-colored eyes
-* A history of sunburns, especially in early life
-* A large number of moles or certain types of skin lesions known as actinic keratoses
-* A weakened immune system
-* Exposure to certain chemicals, such as arsenic
-* Smoking, particularly for SCCs of the lung, mouth, and throat
-== Symptoms ==
+==Pathophysiology==
-The symptoms of squamous-cell carcinoma vary depending on the location of the tumor. On the skin, SCC often appears as a red, scaly, or crusty patch of skin that may be sore or bleed. When it occurs in the mucous membranes or other parts of the body, symptoms can include a sore or ulcer that does not heal, a change in a pre-existing skin lesion, difficulty swallowing, or a hoarse voice.
+Squamous-cell carcinoma arises from the uncontrolled growth of abnormal squamous cells. These cells are found in the epidermis, the outermost layer of the skin, and are responsible for forming the surface of the skin. SCC can occur in any area of the body that has squamous cells, including the skin, lips, mouth, esophagus, bladder, prostate, lungs, vagina, and cervix.
-== Diagnosis ==
+==Risk Factors==
-Diagnosis of squamous-cell carcinoma typically involves a physical examination followed by a biopsy of the suspicious lesion. If SCC is confirmed, further tests may be conducted to determine the stage of the cancer, including imaging tests like CT scans or MRIs, and possibly a lymph node biopsy.
+Several factors increase the risk of developing squamous-cell carcinoma:
+* '''[[Ultraviolet (UV) radiation]]''': Prolonged exposure to UV radiation from the sun or tanning beds is a major risk factor.
+* '''Fair skin''': Individuals with lighter skin, hair, and eye color are at higher risk.
+* '''Age''': The risk increases with age, particularly in individuals over 50.
+* '''Immunosuppression''': People with weakened immune systems, such as organ transplant recipients, are more susceptible.
+* '''History of skin cancer''': A previous history of skin cancer increases the risk of developing SCC.
-== Treatment ==
+==Clinical Presentation==
-Treatment for squamous-cell carcinoma depends on the size, location, and stage of the cancer, as well as the patient's overall health. Options may include:
+Squamous-cell carcinoma often appears as a rough, scaly patch on the skin that may bleed or become crusty. It can also present as a firm red nodule or a flat sore with a scaly crust. SCCs are most commonly found on sun-exposed areas of the body, such as the face, ears, neck, lips, and backs of the hands.
-* Surgical removal of the tumor
-* Radiation therapy
-* Chemotherapy
-* Targeted therapy, which uses drugs or other substances to specifically attack cancer cells
-* Immunotherapy, which helps the patient's immune system fight the cancer
-== Prevention ==
+[[File:Squamous cell carcinoma.jpg|thumb|right|A squamous-cell carcinoma on the skin.]]
-Preventing squamous-cell carcinoma primarily involves protecting the skin from excessive UV radiation. This can be achieved by:
-* Avoiding sun exposure during peak hours
-* Wearing protective clothing and sunglasses
-* Using broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher
-* Avoiding tanning beds and sunlamps
-Regular skin checks by a healthcare professional and self-examinations are also important for early detection of skin changes that might indicate SCC.
+==Diagnosis==
+The diagnosis of squamous-cell carcinoma is typically made through a combination of physical examination and [[biopsy]]. During a biopsy, a small sample of the suspicious tissue is removed and examined under a microscope to confirm the presence of cancerous cells.
-== Prognosis ==
+==Treatment==
-The prognosis for squamous-cell carcinoma is generally good, especially when the cancer is caught early and treated promptly. However, SCC can be more aggressive and difficult to treat if it spreads to other parts of the body.
+Treatment options for squamous-cell carcinoma depend on the size, location, and stage of the cancer, as well as the patient's overall health. Common treatments include:
+* '''Surgical excision''': The cancerous tissue is surgically removed.
+* '''Mohs surgery''': A precise surgical technique used to remove skin cancer layer by layer.
+* '''Radiation therapy''': High-energy rays are used to destroy cancer cells.
+* '''Cryotherapy''': The cancerous cells are frozen using liquid nitrogen.
+* '''Topical chemotherapy''': Medications are applied directly to the skin to kill cancer cells.
-[[Category:Cancer]]
+==Prognosis==
-[[Category:Dermatology]]
+The prognosis for squamous-cell carcinoma is generally good, especially when detected early. Most cases can be cured with appropriate treatment. However, if left untreated, SCC can grow larger and spread to other parts of the body, becoming more difficult to treat.
-[[Category:Oncology]]
-{{Medicine-stub}}
+==Prevention==
-<gallery>
+Preventive measures include:
-File:Histopathology_of_squamous-cell_carcinoma.png|Squamous-cell carcinoma
+* Avoiding excessive sun exposure and using sunscreen with a high SPF.
-File:SquamousCellCarcinomaTongueCT.png|Squamous-cell carcinoma
+* Wearing protective clothing, hats, and sunglasses when outdoors.
-File:Ca_bronchus.jpg|Squamous-cell carcinoma
+* Avoiding tanning beds.
-File:Oral_cancer_(1)_squamous_cell_carcinoma_histopathology.jpg|Squamous-cell carcinoma
+* Regular skin examinations by a healthcare professional.
-File:Cytopathology_of_keratinizing_squamous_cell_carcinoma.png|Squamous-cell carcinoma
-File:Cytopathology_of_nonkeratinizing_squamous_cell_carcinoma.png|Squamous-cell carcinoma
+==Related pages==
-File:Squamous_Cell_Carcinoma_well_differentiated_Left_upper_paraspinal_back_with_adjacent_actinic_keratosis.jpg|Squamous-cell carcinoma
+* [[Basal-cell carcinoma]]
-File:Squamous_Cell_Carcinoma_Left_Lateral_Canthus.jpg|Squamous-cell carcinoma
+* [[Melanoma]]
-File:Squamous_Cell_Carcinoma_Left_Ventral_Forearm.jpg|Squamous-cell carcinoma
+* [[Skin cancer]]
-File:SkinTumors-P6070232.JPG|Squamous-cell carcinoma
+* [[Actinic keratosis]]
-File:SkinTumors-P6020140.JPG|Squamous-cell carcinoma
-File:SkinTumors-P5290109.JPG|Squamous-cell carcinoma
+[[Category:Skin cancer]]
-</gallery>
+[[Category:Carcinoma]]