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Resources for the Public
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What is squamous cell carcinoma?
Squamous cell skin cancer (sometimes referred to as non-melanoma carcinoma) may appear as nodules, or as red, scaly patches of skin.
Who is at risk for squamous cell carcinoma?
Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common skin cancer found in Caucasians, and is usually found on fair-skinned persons.
This form of cancer develops in approximately 200,000 persons per year. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, the cure rate for squamous cell carcinoma is 95 percent, when properly treated.
Where is squamous cell carcinoma found?
Squamous cell carcinoma is typically is found on the rim of the ear, face, lips and mouth, however, it can spread to other parts of the body. Although generally more aggressive than basal cell carcinoma, this cancer is highly treatable.
Precursors of Squamous cell carcinomas (Actinic Keratoses)
What is actinic keratosis?
Actinic keratosis, also known as a solar keratosis, is a scaly or crusty bump that arises on the skin surface. The base may be light or dark, tan, pink, red, a combination of these, or the same color as your skin. The scale or crust is horny, dry, and rough, and is often recognized by touch rather than sight. Occasionally it itches or produces a pricking or tender sensation.
Actinic keratosis can be the first step in the development of skin cancer, and, therefore, is considered a precancerous skin condition. The presence of actinic keratoses indicates that sun damage has occurred and that any kind of skin cancer can develop.
What do actinic keratoses look like?
The skin abnormality or lesion develops slowly to reach a size that is most often from an eighth to a quarter of an inch. It may disappear and reappear later. It is not unusual to see several actinic keratoses at a time.
A keratosis is most likely to appear on the face, ears, bald scalp, neck, backs of hands and forearms, and lips. It tends to lie flat against the skin of the head and neck and be elevated on arms and hands.
It is estimated that up to 10 percent of active lesions, which are redder and more tender than the rest, will take the next step and progress to squamous cell carcinomas.
How does actinic keratoses develop?
The lesions are usually not life-threatening, provided they are detected and treated in the early stages. However, if this is not done, they can grow large and invade the surrounding tissues and, on rare occasions, metastasize, or spread, to the internal organs.
The most aggressive form of keratosis, actinic cheilitis, appears on the lips and can evolve into squamous cell carcinoma. When this happens, about 20 percent of these carcinomas metastasize to other parts of the body.
Who is affected by actinic keratoses?
Sun exposure is the cause of almost all actinic keratoses. Sun damage to the skin accumulates over time, so that even a brief exposure adds to the lifetime total. Certain groups of people are more at risk than others:
- People who have fair skin, blonde or red hair, and blue, green, or gray eyes are at the greatest risk, but darker-skinned people can develop keratoses if they expose themselves to the sun without protection.
- African-Americans rarely have these lesions.
- Individuals who are immunosuppressed as a result of cancer chemotherapy, AIDS, or organ transplantation, are also at higher risk.
One in six people will develop an actinic keratosis in the course of a lifetime, according to some estimates. Older people are more likely than younger ones to have actinic keratoses, because cumulative sun exposure increases with age.
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