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Squamous cell carcinoma is a malignant tumor of epidermal keratinocytes that invades the dermis; this cancer usually occurs in sun-exposed areas. Local destruction may be extensive, and metastases occur in advanced stages. Diagnosis is by biopsy. Treatment depends on the tumor's characteristics and may involve curettage and electrodesiccation, surgical excision, cryosurgery, or, occasionally, radiation therapy.

Squamous cell carcinoma, the 2nd most common type of skin cancer, may develop in normal tissue, in a preexisting actinic keratosis (see Reactions to Sunlight: Actinic keratoses), in a patch of leukoplakia, or in a burn scar. The incidence in the US is 200,000 to 300,000 cases annually, with 2000 deaths.

The clinical appearance is highly variable, but any nonhealing lesion on sun-exposed surfaces should be suspect. The tumor may begin as a red papule or plaque with a scaly or crusted surface and may become nodular, sometimes with a warty surface. In some cases, the bulk of the lesion may lie below the level of the surrounding skin. Eventually the tumor ulcerates and invades the underlying tissue.

Biopsy is essential. Differential diagnosis includes many types of benign and malignant lesions, such as basal cell carcinoma, keratoacanthoma, actinic keratosis, verruca vulgaris, and seborrheic keratosis.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Prognosis

In general, the prognosis for small lesions removed early and adequately is excellent. Regional and distant metastases of squamous cell carcinomas on sun-exposed skin are uncommon but do occur, particularly with poorly differentiated tumors. However, about ¹/₃ of lingual or mucosal cancers have metastasized before diagnosis (see Tumors of the Head and Neck: Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma).

Late-stage disease, which may require extensive surgery, is far more likely to metastasize. It spreads initially regionally to surrounding skin and lymph nodes and eventually to nearby organs. Cancers that occur near the ears, the vermilion, and in scars are more likely to metastasize. The overall 5-yr survival rate for metastatic disease is 34% despite therapy.

Treatment

Treatment is similar to that for basal cell carcinoma and includes curettage and electrodesiccation, surgical excision, cryosurgery, topical chemotherapy ( imiquimod Some Trade Names
ALDARA
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, 5- fluorouracil Some Trade Names
ADRUCIL
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, and photodynamic therapy), or, occasionally, radiation therapy. (see Cancers of the Skin: Treatment) Treatment and follow-up must be monitored closely because of the greater risk of metastasis. Squamous cell carcinoma on the lip or other mucocutaneous junction should be excised; at times, cure is difficult. Recurrences and large tumors should be treated aggressively with Mohs surgery, or by a team approach with surgery and radiation therapy.

Metastatic disease is responsive to radiation therapy if metastases can be identified and are isolated. Widespread metastases do not respond well to chemotherapeutic regimens.

Last full review/revision October 2008 by Gregory L. Wells, MD

Content last modified October 2008