Information About Squamous Cell Cancer

According to the Mayo Clinic, the second most commonly found form of nonmelanoma skin cancer is squamous cell cancer. When caught early, squamous cell cancer usually does not cause any problems and almost never results in death. However, if squamous cell cancer is not treated early it can spread to other body parts and can cause major problems and other types of cancer.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of squamous cell cancer include firm red nodules, flat lesions with scaly crusts, ulcerations, white patches inside the mouth, and red patches on genitals. Identifying squamous cell cancer can be difficult if skin around the tumor is already damaged from sun exposure. However, squamous cell cancer grows extremely slowly which makes it slightly easier to spot early. Schedule a doctor's appointment if any sores or bumps on your skin don't heal within two weeks.

Causes

• Extended exposure to ultraviolet radiation is the main cause of squamous cell cancer and other forms of skin cancer. When ultra-violet radiation contacts skin cells it can damage the DNA, sometimes resulting in skin cancer. According to the Mayo Clinic, tanning beds can have the same affect that ultraviolet radiation from the sun has on the skin. Squamous cell cancer is mainly caused by exposure to the sun, but there are other causes that can contribute to squamous cell cancer. These causes include therapeutic radiation, exposure to chemical toxins, human papillomavirus (HPV) and immunosuppressant drugs.

Risk Factors

• According to the Mayo Clinic, risk factors for squamous cell cancer include chronic sun exposure, fair skin, older age, being male, personal history of skin cancer, smoking, and skin inflammation or injuries. The average age for the development of squamous cell cancer is 66.

Complications

• Squamous cell cancer does not usually cause any problems if caught early. However, if not caught early, squamous cell cancer can result in cancer spreading to lips and ears. Squamous cell tumors that are larger than 3/4 of an inch are also more likely to spread to other parts of the body than smaller tumors. Squamous cell tumors that are deeper in the skin also have a higher chance of spreading to other parts of the body.

Prevention

• One of the best forms of protection against squamous cell cancer is wearing sunscreen. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, skin cancer can be prevented by staying out of the sun, avoiding tanning beds, putting sun screen on 30 minutes before going outside, and seeking shade between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. The Skin Cancer Foundation also suggests using sunscreen that has an SPF of 15 or higher.

Treatment

• Squamous cell cancer can be treated by freezing cancer cells with liquid nitrogen, cutting out cancer tissue, laser therapy, Mohs surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy.