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In medicine, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a form of cancer of the carcinoma type that may occur in many different organs, including the skin, lips, mouth, esophagus, urinary bladder, prostate, lungs, vagina, and cervix. It is a malignant tumor of squamous epithelium (epithelium that shows squamous cell differentiation).
A carcinoma can be characterized as either in situ (confined to the original site) or invasive, depending on whether the cancer invades underlying tissues; only invasive cancers are able to spread to other organs and cause metastasis. Squamous cell carcinoma in situ are also called Bowen’s disease.
Human papilloma virus has been associated with SCC of the oropharynx, lung, fingers, anogenital region.
Incidence of squamous cell carcinoma varies with age, gender, race, geography, and genetics. The incidence of SCC increases with age and the peak incidence is usually around 66 years old. Males are affected with SCC at a ratio of 2:1 in comparison to females. Caucasians are more likely to be affected, especially those with fair Celtic skin, if chronically exposed to UV radiation. There are also a few rare congenital diseases predispose to cutaneous malignancy. Incidence of SCC has also been found to increase with decreasing latitude (e.g. southern US, Australia). Tumors are more common on the left side in the US and on the right side in England. This is probably due to asymmetric sun exposure during driving. In certain geographic locations, exposure to arsenic in well water or from industrial sources may significantly increase the risk of SCC. [1]
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