5-Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Squamous cells are those that make up the outermost layer of the skin, although they are also found in the lining of the digestive and respiratory tracts of the body. When squamous cells begin to grow uncontrollably they may form malignant tumors known as Squamous Cell Carcinomas.
After Basal Cell Carcinomas, Squamous Cell Carcinomas, also known as SCCs, are the second most common type of skin cancer with close to 1,000,000 million cases are diagnosed every year.
Carcinomas arising out of the Squamous Cells of the skin have a rough, scaly appearance. These types of carcinomas typically present as warty looking patches of skin that bleed easily if scratched. They may also appear as open sores with irregular and ragged edges. SCCs can appear anywhere on the body, although they have a significantly higher chance to appear in areas of the body that have withstood continued radiation from the sun, such as the face, ears, neck, arms, and legs. As such, exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet radiation becomes one of the leading risk factors involved in the formation of Squamous Cell Carcinomas.
It is important to note that a significant portion of Squamous Cell Carcinomas begin as a type of pre-cancerous skin growth known as Actinic keratosis. Also known as Solar Keratosis, these types of skin tumors are not malignant; however, up to 20% will develop into some sort of Squamous Cell Carcinoma if left untreated.
A typical Actinic Keratosis will have a scaly, whitish plaque surrounded by rough, reddened skin. Many people describe the texture of these patches as similar to that of rough sandpaper.
Most Actinic Keratoses grow to ¼ inch in size. And while some disappear entirely on their own, the majority will reappear later. Be on the lookout for rough patches of reddish or dark brown skin that produce a prickling or itching sensation.
There are various topical medications, such as fluorouracil cream, which are used in the treatment of Actinic Keratosis. Additionally, non-invasive techniques such as cryotherapy may be used to remove the damaged tissue. Surgical excision is also always an option.