The Second Most Common Skin Cancer
Who Gets Basal Cell Carcinoma?
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common type of skin cancer, following basal cell carcinoma. Hundreds of thousands of new cases are diagnosed in the United States each year.
SCC develops in the squamous cells, which make up much of the upper layers of the skin, known as the epidermis. Squamous cell carcinoma can occur anywhere on the body, including the mucous membranes and genital areas, but it is most commonly found on areas that receive frequent or prolonged sun exposure.
Common locations include the rim of the ear, lower lip, face, bald scalp, neck, hands, arms, and legs. The surrounding skin may also show signs of long-term sun damage, including wrinkling, changes in pigmentation, and loss of elasticity.
People who have fair skin, light hair, and blue, green, or gray eyes are at highest risk of developing the disease. But anyone with a history of substantial sun exposure is at increased risk. Those whose occupations require long hours outdoors or who spend extensive leisure time in the sun are in particular jeopardy. Anyone who has had a basal cell carcinoma is also more likely to develop an squamous cell carcinoma, as is anyone with an inherited, highly UV-sensitive condition such as xeroderma pigmentosum.
Squamous cell carcinomas are at least twice as frequent in men as in women. They rarely appear before age 50 and are most often seen in individuals in their 70s. The majority of skin cancers in African-Americans are squamous cell carcinomas, usually arising on the sites of preexisting inflammatory skin conditions or burn injuries. Though naturally dark-skinned people are less likely than fair-skinned people to get skin cancer, it is still essential for them to practice sun protection.
What Are Causes of Basal Cell Carcinoma?
Chronic exposure to sunlight causes most cases of squamous cell carcinoma. Frequent use of tanning beds also multiplies the risk of squamous cell carcinoma; people who use tanning beds are 2.5 times more likely to develop squamous cell carcinoma than those who don't. But skin injuries are another important source. The cancer can arise in burns, scars, ulcers, long-standing sores and sites previously exposed to X-rays or certain chemicals (such as arsenic and petroleum by-products).
Chronic infections and skin inflammation can also give rise to squamous cell carcinoma. Furthermore, HIV and other immune deficiency diseases, chemotherapy, anti-rejection drugs used in organ transplantation, and even excessive sun exposure itself all weaken the immune system, making it harder to fight off disease and thus increasing the risk of squamous cell carcinoma and other skin cancers.
Occasionally, squamous cell carcinomas arise spontaneously on what appears to be normal, healthy skin. Some researchers believe the tendency to develop these cancers can be inherited.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Call UDermic Health or fill out this form and ask for an XPressCheck appointment for your suspicious mole or skin lesion.