Description

Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin is a type of cancer that begins as a growth of the cells in the skin. It starts in cells called squamous cells. Squamous cells make up the middle and outer layers of the skin. Squamous cell carcinoma is a common type of skin cancer.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin is usually not life-threatening. But if untreated, squamous cell carcinoma of the skin can grow or spread to other parts of the body. The growth of the cancer may cause serious complications.

The majority of squamous cell carcinomas of the skin are caused by the excess of ultraviolet radiation (UV). The UV radiation coming from the light from the sun or from tanning beds or lamps. Protect your skin from the UV rays of the light can help reduce the risk of squamous cell carcinoma of the skin and other forms of skin cancer.

Squamous cell carcinomas can be in any place of the skin. In people who sunburn easily, the cancer is usually found on areas of skin that have had a lot of sun. In people with the Black and the brown of the skin, squamous cell carcinoma are more likely to be in the skin that is not exposed to the sun, such as the genitals.

Symptoms

Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin occurs most often on sun-exposed skin. This includes the scalp, the back of the hands, ears or lips. But it can occur in any part of the body. You can even occur on the inside of the mouth, on the soles of the feet, or on the genitals. When squamous cell carcinoma of the skin that occurs in the people with the Black and the brown of the skin, which tends to happen in places that are not exposed to the sun.

The symptoms of squamous cell carcinoma of the skin include:

  • A company of a lump on the skin, called a nodule. The node can be the same color as the skin, or may have a different look. It may look pink, red, black, or brown, depending on the color of the skin.
  • A flat-pain with a crust flaky.
  • A new pain or raised area on an old scar or pain.
  • A rough, scaly patch on the lip that can become an open sore.
  • An ulcer or a bump on the inside of the mouth.
  • A raised patch or warty or pain in the anus or genitals.

When to see a doctor

Make an appointment with a health care professional for a sore or scab that won't heal in two months or a flat patch of scales on the skin that does not go away.

Causes

Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin occurs when the squamous cells in the skin to obtain changes in their DNA. The cells DNA contains the instructions that tell cells what to do. The changes, to tell you the squamous cells that multiply rapidly. The cells continue living when healthy cells would die as part of their natural life cycle.

This makes too many cells. The cells can invade and destroy healthy body tissue. At the time, cells can break away and spread to other parts of the body.

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation causes most of the changes in the DNA in the cells of the skin. The UV radiation can come from sunlight, sunlamps, and tanning beds.

But skin cancers can also grow in the skin that is usually not in the light of the sun. This means that other factors may increase the risk of skin cancer. One of those factors could be to have a disease that weakens the immune system.

Risk factors

Factors that may increase the risk of squamous cell carcinoma of the skin include:

  • Skin burns easily.Any person of any skin color can get the squamous cell carcinoma of the skin. But it is more common in people who have low levels of melanin in the skin. Melanin is a substance that gives color to the skin. It also helps to protect the skin from the harmful ultraviolet rays (UV). People with brown or Black skin have more melanin than people with white skin. The risk of squamous cell carcinoma is higher in people who have blond or red hair, has light-colored eyes and freckles or sunburn easily.
  • Being in the sun too. The UV radiation from the sun increases the risk of squamous cell carcinoma of the skin. Cover the skin with clothing or sunscreen can help reduce the risk.
  • The use of tanning beds. People who use indoor tanning beds have a higher risk of squamous cell carcinoma of the skin.
  • Have a history of sunburn. After having had one or more sunburns that raised blisters as a child or teenager increases the risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma of the skin of an adult. Sunburns in adulthood are also a risk factor.
  • Have a history of precancerous skin lesions. Some types of skin ulcers can develop into skin cancer. Examples are actinic keratosis or Bowen's disease. Having one of these conditions increases the risk of squamous cell carcinoma.
  • Having a history of skin cancer. People who have had squamous cell carcinoma of the skin once you are much more likely to get it again.
  • Having a weakened immune system. People with weakened immune systems have an increased risk of skin cancer. This includes people who have leukemia or lymphoma. And this includes those who take medications to control the immune system, such as those who have had organ transplants.
  • Have a rare genetic disorder. People with xeroderma pigmentosum, which causes a high sensitivity to sunlight, have a greater risk of developing skin cancer.
  • Infection by human papillomavirus (HPV). This common infection that is transmitted through sexual contact increases the risk of squamous cell carcinoma of the skin.
  • Have scarring or long-term wounds in the skin. Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin can form scars, burns, and sores that do not heal.

Skin burns easily. Any person of any skin color can get the squamous cell carcinoma of the skin. But it is more common in people who have low levels of melanin in the skin. Melanin is a substance that gives color to the skin. It also helps to protect the skin from the harmful ultraviolet rays (UV). People with brown or Black skin have more melanin than people with white skin.

The risk of squamous cell carcinoma is higher in people who have blond or red hair, has light-colored eyes and freckles or sunburn easily.

Complications

Untreated squamous cell carcinoma of the skin may destroy the surrounding healthy tissue. It can spread to the lymph nodes or other organs. And it can be fatal, although this is not common.

The risk of squamous cell carcinoma of the skin, the diffusion may be higher if the cancer:

  • Grows very large or deep.
  • Involves the mucous membranes, such as the lips.
  • Occurs in a person with a weakened immune system. Examples of things that could cause a weakening of the immune system include having chronic leukemia, or taking medicine to control the immune system after an organ transplant.

Prevention

The majority of squamous cell carcinomas of the skin can be prevented. To protect yourself:

  • Stay out of the sun during the middle of the day. For a large part of North America, the sun's rays are strongest between 10 am and 3 pm Plan outdoor activities at other times of the day, even during the winter or when the sky is cloudy. When you are out, stay in the shade as much as possible.
  • Use sunscreen all year round. The use of a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, even on cloudy days. Apply sunscreen generously. Re-apply every two hours, or more often if you're swimming or perspiring.
  • Wear protective clothing. The wear and tear of the dark, tightly woven clothing that covers the arms and legs. Wear a wide-brimmed hat that covers the face and the ears. Don't forget the sunglasses. Look for those that block both types of UV radiation, UVA and UVB.
  • Do not use tanning beds. The lights in tanning beds emit UV radiation. The use of tanning beds increases the risk of skin cancer.
  • Check your skin often and report any changes to your health care team.Look at your skin often for new growth. Look for changes in moles, freckles, bumps and birthmarks. Use mirrors for checking your face, neck, ears and scalp. Look at your chest and trunk, and upper and lower part of the arms and hands. Look in the front and the back of her legs and feet. Look at the bottom of the feet and the spaces between the toes. Also make sure that your genital area and between your buttocks.

Check your skin often and report any changes to your health care team. Look at your skin often for new growth. Look for changes in moles, freckles, bumps and birthmarks. Use mirrors for checking your face, neck, ears and scalp.

Look at your chest and trunk, and upper and lower part of the arms and hands. Look in the front and the back of her legs and feet. Look at the bottom of the feet and the spaces between the toes. Also make sure that your genital area and between your buttocks.

Diagnosis

Tests and procedures used to diagnose squamous cell carcinoma of the skin include:

  • Physical exam. A member of your health care team questions about your health history, and you see it on your skin for signs of squamous cell carcinoma of the skin.
  • The removal of a sample of tissue for testing, called a biopsy. A biopsy is a procedure to remove a sample of tissue for testing in a lab. A member of your health care team uses a tool to cut, to cut off or drill out some or all of the area of the skin looks weird. The sample is analyzed in a laboratory to see if it is cancer.

Treatment

The majority of squamous cell carcinomas of the skin can be removed with minor surgery. Some are removed with a medication that is applied to the skin. The treatment depends on the location of the cancer, how big it is, how fast it is growing and what you prefer.

Treatments for more small skin cancers

If the skin cancer is small, not in the depth of the skin, called a surface, and has a low risk of spreading, less invasive treatment options include:

  • Curettage and electrodesiccation. This treatment consists of removing the top of the skin cancer with a scraping tool called a curet. Then, an electric needle is used to brown the base of the cancer.
  • The laser therapy. This treatment uses an intense beam of light to destroy tumors. There is usually little damage to the surrounding tissues. And there is a lower risk of bleeding, inflammation, and scarring.
  • Freezing. This treatment, called cryosurgery involves freezing the cancer cells with liquid nitrogen. Freezing can be done after using a scraping tool, called a curet, to remove from the surface of the skin cancer.
  • Photodynamic therapy. During photodynamic therapy, a drug liquid that makes cancer cells sensitive to light applied to the skin. Later, a light that destroys the cancer cell skin is lit in the area. This treatment can be used with surgery or other treatments.

The treatments for the largest of skin cancers

More invasive treatments may be recommended for older squamous cell carcinomas and those that penetrate more deeply into the skin. The options may include:

  • Simple Excision. This involves cutting out the cancer and a margin of healthy skin around it. Sometimes most of the skin around the removal of the tumor, called a wide excision.
  • The Mohs surgery. Mohs surgery involves removing the cancer layer by layer and looking in each layer under a microscope until no cancer cells are left. This allows the surgeon to remove the entire growth without taking too much of the healthy skin around it.
  • The radiation therapy. Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells. Radiation therapy is sometimes used after surgery when there is an increase in the risk that the cancer may return. It could also be an option for people who do not have or do not want surgery.

Treatments for skin cancer that spreads beyond the skin

When the squamous cell carcinoma spreads to other parts of the body, the drugs can be recommended, including:

  • Chemotherapy. Chemotherapy uses strong drugs to kill cancer cells. If the squamous cell carcinoma spreads to the lymph nodes or to other parts of the body, chemotherapy may be used alone or with other treatments, such as targeted therapy and radiation therapy.
  • The targeted therapy. Targeted therapy uses drugs that attack specific chemicals in cancer cells. By blocking these chemicals, specific treatments can cause cancer cells to die. Targeted therapy is usually used with chemotherapy.
  • Immunotherapy.Immunotherapy is a treatment with a medication that helps the body's immune system destroys the cancer cells. The immune system fights diseases by attacking the germs and other cells that should not be in the body. Cancer cells survive by hiding from the immune system. Immunotherapy helps the cells of the immune system find and kill cancer cells. For squamous cell carcinoma of the skin, immunotherapy may be considered when the cancer is advanced and other treatments are not an option.

Immunotherapy. Immunotherapy is a treatment with a medication that helps the body's immune system destroys the cancer cells. The immune system fights diseases by attacking the germs and other cells that should not be in the body. Cancer cells survive by hiding from the immune system. Immunotherapy helps the cells of the immune system find and kill cancer cells.

For squamous cell carcinoma of the skin, immunotherapy may be considered when the cancer is advanced and other treatments are not an option.

Preparing for your appointment

If you have a sore on the skin which worries you, make an appointment with a doctor or other health care professional. You may be referred to a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions of the skin, it is called a dermatologist.

If you have already had skin cancer, you have a higher risk of a second cancer. Talk with your dermatologist about how often to have a skin exam to look for signs of other skin cancer.

Here's some information to help you prepare for your appointment.

What you can do

Ask a family member or friend to go with you to the appointment to help you remember the information that is obtained.

Make a list of:

  • Your medical history, including other conditions for which it has been treated.
  • Of all your medications, vitamins, and natural remedies that you are taking, including dosage.
  • Questions to ask your health care team.

Some basic questions to ask about squamous cell carcinoma of the skin include:

  • Do I have skin cancer? What kind?
  • It is this type of cancer is likely to spread?
  • Has my cancer spread?
  • What treatment do you recommend it?
  • What are the possible side effects of this treatment?
  • I have a scar after the treatment?
  • It is this type of cancer is likely to return?
  • Am I at risk of other types of skin cancer?
  • What can I do to prevent skin cancer?
  • How often should I follow up visits after treatment?
  • Are there brochures or other printed material I can have? What sites do you recommend?

What to expect from your doctor

Be prepared to answer some basic questions, such as:

  • How long have you had this growth of the skin?
  • It has grown so much since I found you?
  • The growth or pain cause discomfort?
  • Do you have any other lumps or sores that concern you?
  • You have had skin cancer before?
  • How much of the sun as a child?
  • Have you ever used tanning beds?
  • How much are you on the sunshine now?
  • What to do to stay safe in the sun?
  • Have you ever taken medications that suppress the immune system?
  • Do you or do you smoke? How much?
Symptoms and treatment of Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin