Squamous Cell Carcinoma (Spinalioma)

Squamous cell carcinoma is a malignant skin tumor also known as prickle cell carcinoma or spinalioma. Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common type of malignant skin cancer. Approximately 22,000 people are newly diagnosed with prickle cell carcinoma in Germany every year, and the number is increasing. This skin cancer has a precursor called actinic keratosis.

Actinic keratosis can be the first step to squamous cell carcinoma and occurs on those parts of the body that are frequently exposed to the sun: Nose, forehead, temples, lower lip and back of the hands. In men, the ears, neck, and bald head, if any, are also particularly at risk.

Who is affected?

Anyone who is exposed to intense UV radiation for many years can develop prickle cell cancer. People who work outdoors or regularly sunbathe are therefore particularly affected by prickle cell cancer.

But people with fair skin, blond or red hair, and blue or green eyes are also at increased risk.

Actinic keratosis as a precursor to prickle cell cancer

Actinic keratosis is typically a scaly or crusty elevation on the surface of the skin that feels like sandpaper. It is not malignant and can be treated very well, for example with ointments specially developed for this purpose and photodynamic therapy.

If the actinic keratosis is not removed, there is an increased risk of it developing into prickle cell cancer, since approximately ten percent of actinic keratoses degenerate in the course of the expected lifespan. This happens in about five percent of the cases. Most frequently, people around the age of 70 develop prickle cell cancer. However, due to changes in leisure habits, squamous cell carcinoma is increasingly occurring in younger patients.