Yes, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a type of skin cancer, a malignant growth from skin cells that can grow quickly and potentially spread if not treated early, though it's considered less dangerous than melanoma but more so than basal cell carcinoma (BCC). It's a common non-melanoma skin cancer, often appearing on sun-exposed areas as scaly patches or fast-growing lumps.
Squamous cell carcinoma is a common type of skin cancer. Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin is usually not life-threatening. But if it's not treated, squamous cell carcinoma of the skin can grow large or spread to other parts of the body. The growth of the cancer can cause serious complications.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
At-risk breeds include Dalmatians, Bull Terriers, and Beagles. Short-coated dogs who spend a long time outdoors also have a higher incidence of squamous cell carcinoma. Most squamous cell carcinomas of the skin appear as firm, raised, and often ulcerated plaques and nodules.
Squamous cell carcinoma of the nose is a type of skin cancer characterized by the abnormal growth of squamous cells in the nasal region. It typically presents as a non-healing sore, scaly patch, or growth on the nose and can potentially spread to other parts of the body if left untreated.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma Treatment
Squamous cell cancers can metastasize to nearby lymph nodes or other organs, and can invade both small and large nerves and local structures. Biopsy can help determine if the squamous cell cancer is a low-risk tumor or a high-risk tumor that requires more aggressive treatment.
It's important not to delay treatment for too long, since this can make the cancer more difficult to cure. Waiting to treat squamous cell skin cancer also increases the risk of hurting your appearance and leading to difficulties with using that part of the body normally if a lot of surgery or other treatment is needed.
Treatment overview
In July 2021, the FDA expanded this approval to include SCC that is locally advanced and not curable by radiation or surgery. In 2024, the FDA approved cosibelimab-ipdl (UnloxcytTM) for adults with locally advanced or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma that is not curable with surgery or radiation.
Location on the Body
Squamous cell carcinomas that develop on high-risk areas of the body tend to behave more aggressively. These areas include the ears, lips, nose, scalp, fingers, and genitals, as well as sites where the skin is already damaged by chronic inflammation, burns, or scars.
Doctors can cure most people with squamous cell skin cancer. A small number of people might have squamous cell cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes or to other parts of the body. This may still be cured.
Conclusion: FDG-PET/CT has high sensitivity in detection of cSCC lesions, including small cutaneous and nodal disease, and has potential role in initial staging and management.
Certain breeds are known to have an increased incidence of SCC, including American Pit Bull Terrier, Basset Hound, Beagle, Bloodhound, Boxer, Bull Terrier, German Shorthaired Pointer, Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, Norwegian Elkhound, and Standard Poodle.
Due to the risk of recurrence and metastasis, the prognosis for oral squamous cell carcinoma varies based on its location. If the mandible or maxilla is affected, dogs can live between 1.5 and 2 years on average following complete surgical excision.
If squamous cell carcinoma spreads to the lymph nodes or other parts of the body, chemotherapy can be used alone or with other treatments, such as targeted therapy and radiation therapy. Targeted therapy. Targeted therapy uses medicines that attack specific chemicals in the cancer cells.
Squamous cells: These are flat cells in the upper (outer) part of the epidermis, which are constantly shed as new ones form. When these cells grow out of control, they can develop into squamous cell skin cancer (also called squamous cell carcinoma).
Researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have shown for the first time that a type of human papillomavirus (HPV) commonly found on the skin can directly cause a form of skin cancer called cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) when certain immune cells malfunction.
Basal and squamous cell carcinoma are two distinct types of skin cancer, each with its characteristics and potential consequences. While BCC tends to grow slowly and rarely metastasize, SCC is more aggressive and has a higher propensity to spread.
Symptoms of squamous cell carcinoma include skin changes like: A rough-feeling, bump or growth, which might crust over like a scab and bleed. A growth that's higher than the skin around it but sinks down (depression) in the middle. A wound or sore that won't heal, or a sore that heals and then comes back.
Squamous cells are found in the outer layer of skin and in the mucous membranes, which are the moist tissues that line body cavities such as the airways and intestines. Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) develops in the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose, and throat.
Mohs Surgery
Mohs micrographic surgery is considered the gold standard for SCC treatment. This is especially the case for lesions on cosmetically sensitive areas like the face, neck, and hands. It involves removing the cancer layer by layer while examining each layer under a microscope.
Limit your exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays
The most important way to lower your risk of basal and squamous cell skin cancers is to limit your exposure to UV rays. Practice sun safety when you are outdoors.
While chemotherapy offers around a 30% success rate, targeted therapy is successful in up to 80% of cases. Unlike the scatter-gun chemotherapy approach, targeted therapy is considered more sniper-like, accurately taking out its target without any collateral damage to otherwise healthy cells.
You might have different types of doctors on your treatment team. Most basal and squamous cell cancers (as well as pre-cancers) are treated by dermatologists – doctors who specialize in treating skin diseases.
Skin cancer can return even after complete removal and reconstruction. Basal and squamous cell carcinoma have recurrence risks, especially in high-risk areas. Clear margins reduce risk but don't guarantee recurrence won't happen. Regular follow-ups and early detection are key to long-term outcomes.
If the doctor thinks that a suspicious area might be skin cancer, the area (or part of it) will be removed and sent to a lab to be looked at under a microscope. This is called a skin biopsy. If the biopsy removes the entire tumor, it's often enough to cure basal and squamous cell skin cancers without further treatment.