Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin: what are its symptoms, causes and treatment

Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin is a common form of skin cancer that develops in the squamous cells that make up the middle and outer layers of the skin.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin is usually not fatal, but it can be aggressive. Untreated squamous cell carcinoma of the skin can grow or spread to other parts of the body, causing serious complications.

Most squamous cell carcinomas of the skin are the result of prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light, either from sunlight, tanning beds, or tanning lamps. Avoiding ultraviolet light helps reduce the risk of squamous cell carcinoma of the skin and other forms of skin cancer.

Squamous cells are found in many places in the body, and squamous cell carcinoma can occur anywhere these cells are found. Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin refers to cancer that forms in the squamous cells present in the skin.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin most often occurs on skin exposed to the sun, such as the scalp, the backs of the hands, the ears or the lips. But it can happen anywhere on the body, including inside the mouth, on the soles of the feet, and on the genitals.

Signs and symptoms of squamous cell carcinoma of the skin include: A firm, red nodule A flat sore with a scaly crust A new sore or raised area over an old scar or ulcer A rough, scaly patch on the lip that may develop into a sore A red sore or roughness inside the mouth A raised red spot or wart-like sore on the anus or genitals

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

Clear skin

Anyone, regardless of skin color, can get squamous cell carcinoma of the skin. However, having less pigment (melanin) in the skin offers less protection against harmful UV rays.

If you have blonde or red hair, light eyes, and freckles or sunburn easily, you are more likely to get skin cancer, including squamous cell carcinoma, than someone with darker.

Excessive sun exposure

Exposure to UV rays from the sun increases the risk of squamous cell carcinoma of the skin. Spending a lot of time in the sun, especially if you don’t cover your skin with clothing or sunscreen, further increases your risk of squamous cell carcinoma of the skin.

Use of tanning beds

People who use tanning beds are at higher risk of squamous cell carcinoma of the skin

History of sunburn

Having had one or more blistering sunburns in childhood or adolescence increases the risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma of the skin in adulthood. Sunburn in adulthood is also a risk factor.

Personal history of precancerous skin lesions

Having a precancerous skin lesion, such as actinic keratosis or Bowen’s disease, increases the risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma of the skin.

Personal history of skin cancer

If you’ve had squamous cell carcinoma of the skin before, you’re more likely to get it again.

weakened immune system

People with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of skin cancer. This includes people with leukemia or lymphoma and people taking drugs that suppress the immune system, such as those who have had an organ transplant.

rare genetic disease

People with xeroderma pigmentosa, which causes extreme sensitivity to sunlight, have a much higher risk of skin cancer.

Most squamous cell carcinomas of the skin can be completely removed with relatively minor surgery or sometimes by applying medication to the skin. The most appropriate treatment for you will depend on the size, location and aggressiveness of the tumor, as well as your own preferences.

If the skin cancer is very small and has a low risk of spreading, you might consider less invasive treatments, including:

Curettage and electrodesiccation

Curettage and electrodesiccation treatment involves removing the surface of the skin cancer with a scraping instrument (curette) and then sealing the base of the cancer with an electric needle. This treatment is often used for small or very superficial squamous cell skin cancers.

laser therapy

An intense beam of light vaporizes the growths, usually with little damage to surrounding tissue and a reduced risk of bleeding, swelling, and scarring. Laser treatment may be an option for very superficial skin lesions.

Frozen

This treatment involves freezing cancer cells with liquid nitrogen (cryosurgery). It may be an option to treat superficial skin lesions. Freezing can be done after using a scraping instrument (curette) to remove the surface of the skin cancer.

photodynamic therapy

Photodynamic therapy combines photosensitizing drugs and light to treat superficial skin cancer. During photodynamic therapy, a liquid medication is applied to the skin that makes cancer cells sensitive to light. Later, the area is illuminated with light that destroys cancerous skin cells.

More invasive treatments may be recommended for more extensive squamous cell carcinomas and those that go deeper into the skin. Options include the following:

simple excision

In this procedure, the doctor cuts the cancerous tissue and a surrounding margin of healthy skin. In some cases, the doctor may recommend further removal of the normal skin around the tumor (wide excision). To minimize scarring, especially on the face, consult a doctor who is an expert in skin reconstruction.

Mohs surgery

During Mohs surgery, the doctor removes the cancer layer by layer and examines each layer under a microscope until no abnormal cells remain. This allows the surgeon to ensure that all growth is removed and to avoid taking an excessive amount of surrounding healthy skin.

Radiotherapy

Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams, such as X-rays and protons, to kill cancer cells. Radiation therapy is sometimes used after surgery when there is a higher risk of the cancer recurring. It could also be an option for people who cannot have surgery.

When squamous cell carcinoma spreads to other parts of the body, drug treatments may be recommended, such as the following:

Chemotherapy

In chemotherapy, powerful drugs are used to kill cancer cells. If squamous cell carcinoma spreads to lymph nodes or other parts of the body, chemotherapy may be used alone or in combination with other treatments, such as targeted drug therapy and radiation therapy.

Targeted drug therapy

Targeted drug treatments target specific weaknesses within cancer cells. By blocking these weaknesses, targeted drug treatments can cause cancer cells to die. Targeted drug therapy is usually combined with chemotherapy.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is drug therapy that helps the immune system fight cancer. Your body’s disease-fighting immune system may not attack cancer because cancer cells make proteins that will blind immune system cells. Immunotherapy works by interfering with this process. For squamous cell carcinoma of the skin, immunotherapy may be considered when the cancer is advanced and other treatments are not an option.