Definition – What is squamous cell carcinoma?
A squamous cell carcinoma is a malignant tumor or cancer. It originates from the skin or the mucous membrane. Squamous epithelium describes the upper cell layer, which covers many external and internal surfaces. Due to several mutations the squamous epithelium changes and cancer develops. Since squamous epithelium is found on many body surfaces, there are a variety of squamous cell carcinomas.
Here a squamous cell carcinoma can occur
A squamous cell carcinoma can occur in many different places in the body, as the skin, mucous membrane and many organ surfaces are covered by squamous epithelium. A common site of manifestation is the lung. In addition, squamous cell carcinomas often occur on the skin.
In addition, the tongue, the oral cavity or the inside of the nose can also be affected. Furthermore, squamous cell carcinomas occur in the esophagus. Also at the penis a squamous cell carcinoma can develop.
These are however extremely rare. A risk factor for penis carcinoma is lack of hygiene. A lung cancer does not have to be squamous cell carcinoma, but with 40% squamous cell carcinoma of the lung is quite common.
Today, the majority of lung cancer can be attributed to smoking. Most often, lung cancer develops after decades of smoking. Quitting smoking significantly reduces the risk of lung cancer even after years of smoking.
In addition to smoking, there are other risk factors, such as polluted air or toxic substances. In a few cases, a genetic predisposition can also be the cause. Since lung cancer is unfortunately often diagnosed late, the therapeutic options are often limited and many affected persons die in the further course of the disease.
Lung cancer is the number one cause of death among men. Men are affected by lung cancer significantly more often than women. Two types of carcinoma occur in the esophagus – squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma.
Today in Europe squamous cell carcinoma is a little less common than adenocarcinoma. But especially in countries where very hot food or drinks are consumed, squamous cell carcinoma is more common. Among these countries are Japan and China, for example.
Important risk factors for squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus are smoking and high-proof alcohol. Most tumors occur in the middle part of the esophagus. The squamous cell carcinoma of the skin is called spinalioma.
A spinalioma appears on the skin as an inconspicuous, gray-yellowish elevation. As the disease progresses, spinaliomas grow, become more conspicuous and may bleed. They are characterized by rapid growth within a few months.
Since the spinaliomas are mainly caused by UV light, they are located in sunlight-exposed areas. 90% of spinaliomas are localized in the face. Besides UV radiation, various chemicals or non-healing skin lesions are risk factors for spinalioma.
Men are more frequently affected by spinaliomas than women. In diagnostics, a spinalioma must be distinguished from other types of skin cancer. Often, spinaliomas can be easily removed at an early stage.
Squamous cell carcinomas can also develop inside the nose and the paranasal sinuses, whereby the main nasal cavity is mainly affected. The tumor causes unilateral obstruction of nasal breathing. It can also cause other symptoms, such as nosebleeds and nerve loss in the face.
Depending on the growth of the nasal carcinoma, complaints of the teeth or eyes are also possible. Tongue cancer can present itself in different forms. In general, there is little or no discomfort at the beginning of the disease.
Tongue cancer often develops at the edge and base of the tongue. It spreads easily to the larynx. It is suspected that regular consumption of tobacco and alcohol promotes the formation of a tongue plate carcinoma. Besides the tongue, other areas of the oral cavity can also be affected by squamous cell carcinoma. These must also be surgically removed.