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Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) accounts for about 20% of skin cancer and occurs mainly on sun-exposed surfaces, although with a slightly different distribution to Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC).
SCC is relatively more common on the ears, hands, arms, and legs than BCC.
Causes & Development
Unlike BCC, SCC usually arises from an actinic keratosis (AK), a reddish, crusting, precancerous lesion also related to UV exposure. AKs may occur at a relatively young age, and can take years to develop. About 1 in 20 AKs will transform into SCC over 20 years, and the presence of AKs identifies persons who are likely to develop skin cancer.
Treatment & Prevention
Because UV Exposure is the single most important risk factor for skin cancer, sun protection is the best way to decrease the risk. Suggestions include:- Wear protective clothing, including a hat with 3 inch brim (Not a baseball-type cap!)
- Avoid exposure when the Sun's rays are most intense, especially between 10am and 3pm
- Use Sunscreens and Sunblocks, at least SPF 15
- Protect infants and children from overexposure and especially sunburn - it is estimated that lifetime risk of skin cancer could be reduced 80% with proper sun protection in childhood.
Prognosis
SCC is almost 100% curable when treated early, but in later stages can become extremely dangerous, not only invading locally, but metastasizing to other parts of the body. About 2% of skin SCCs ultimately lead to death, or about 2,000 deaths per year in the United States.
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Conditions that suggest Squamous Cell Cancer:
Risk factors for Squamous Cell Cancer:
Squamous Cell Cancer suggests the following may be present:
Recommendations and treatments for Squamous Cell Cancer: | | | | | Animal-based |  Thymic Factors | Through his clinical experiences with thymic supplementation, Dr. Burgstiner said he observed 7 cases of squamous cell cancer of the skin cured. |
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Preventive measures against Squamous Cell Cancer:
KEY | | Weak or unproven link |  | | Strong or generally accepted link |  | | Proven definite or direct link | | | May do some good |
GLOSSARY
BCC
Basal Cell Carcinoma.
Cancer
Refers to the various types of malignant neoplasms that contain cells growing out of control and invading adjacent tissues, which may metastasize to distant tissues.
Carcinoma
Malignant growth of epithelial cells tending to infiltrate the surrounding tissue and giving rise to metastasis: An invasive malignant tumor derived from epithelial tissue that tends to metastasize to other areas of the body.
Metastasize (Metastases, Metastasized, Metastasizes, Metastasizing, Metastatic)
Usually in reference to cancer: to spread, especially destructively.
Precancerous Lesion (Precancerous Lesions)
Abnormal tissue that is not yet malignant.
SCC
Squamous Cell Carcinoma.
Last updated: Jun 01, 2008
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