Skin cancers are divided into two major groups, melanoma and non-melanoma. Non-melanoma tumors include basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas, which account for most malignant skin tumors.
Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin is the second most common form of skin cancer. This cancer occurs in the squamous cells that make up the epidermis and can manifest in all parts of the body, including the mucous membranes and genitals, although they develop more often in areas more exposed to the sun.
The treatment options are diverse and depend on the size, location and depth of the tumor, the person's age and general health conditions.
What are the signs and symptoms
Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin occurs most often on the skin exposed to the sun, such as the scalp, hands, ears or lips. Signs and symptoms that may occur are the appearance of a firm, red nodule, a scaly scab wound, or a pain and roughness in an old scar or ulcer.
In addition, there may also be a rough, scaly spot on the lip that may progress to an open wound, a red sore or rough sore inside the mouth or the appearance of a warts-like wound on the anus or genitals.
What are the risk factors
Although it is thought that this type of cancer may be hereditary and arise spontaneously, the cases in which there is a greater tendency to develop squamous cell carcinoma are:
- Have clear skin and hair or blue, green or gray eyes;
- Frequent sun exposure, especially in the hottest hours;
- Have a history of basal cell carcinoma;
- Possessing a disease called xeroderma pigmentosum. Learn more about this disease;
- Be over 50 years old;
In addition, this disease is more common in men than women.
Possible causes
The most common causes of squamous cell carcinoma of the skin are chronic exposure to sunlight, frequent use of artificial tanning chambers, and skin wounds, as cancer can appear on burns, scars, ulcers, and older wounds. parts of the body previously exposed to X-rays or other chemicals.
In addition, it can also develop from chronic infections and inflammations in the skin or in people with HIV, autoimmune diseases or people who are doing or have had chemotherapy and certain medicines that make the immune system weaker, decreasing the resistance to diseases and increasing the risk of developing skin cancer.
How is the treatment done?
If treated early, squamous cell carcinoma of the skin can be cured; otherwise, these tumors may invade the tissues around the cancer and disfigure the skin, and may also create metastases and reach other organs, leading to death. Treatment should be tailored to the type, size, location and depth of the tumor, the person's age, and general health conditions.
There are several ways to treat squamous cell carcinoma of the skin:
1. Mohs surgery
This technique consists in removing the visible part of the tumor, which is examined under a microscope, and the procedure is repeated until the last tissue removed is free of tumor cells. After removal, the wound may heal normally or be rebuilt with plastic surgery.
2. Excisional surgery
With this procedure, all cancerous tissue is removed, as well as a skin border around the lesion, as a safety margin. The wound is closed with stitches and the removed tissue is sent for analysis to verify that all cancer cells have been removed.
3. Curettage and Electrodissection
In this procedure, the cancer is scraped with an instrument called a curette, and then an electro-cauterizing needle is used that destroys the malignant cells and controls the bleeding. This procedure is usually repeated more often, to ensure that all cancer cells have been eliminated.
This procedure is not considered effective in more invasive and aggressive carcinomas or cancer in critical areas such as eyelids, genitals, lips and ears.
4. Cryosurgery
In cryosurgery, the tumor is destroyed by freezing the tissue with liquid nitrogen, without the need for cuts or anesthesia. The procedure may have to be repeated several times, so that all malignant cells are destroyed.
This method is not much used to treat more invasive cancers as it is not as effective in deeper regions of the tumor.
5. Radiation therapy
In this procedure X-rays are applied directly to the lesion, and anesthesia or cut is not necessary, however, it is necessary to perform a series of treatments, administered several times over a period of about one month.
Radiation therapy is indicated for tumors that are difficult to treat through surgery or for situations in which it is not recommended.
6. Photodynamic therapy
Photodynamic therapy is most commonly used in people whose cancer develops on the face or scalp. In this procedure 5-aminolevulinic acid is used, which is applied to the lesions and the following day a strong light is used. This treatment destroys the carcinoma cells without causing damage to normal tissue.
7. Laser surgery
In this technique, a laser is used that removes the outer layer of skin and varying amounts of deeper skin without bleeding. The risks of scarring and loss of pigment are somewhat higher than in other techniques, and recurrence rates are similar to those of photodynamic therapy.
