Age over 50: Most SCCs appear in people over age 50. Fair skin: People with fair skin are at an increased risk for SCC. Gender: Men are more likely to develop SCC. Sun-sensitive conditions including xeroderma pigmentosum.
Metastasis of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is rare. However, certain tumor and patient characteristics increase the risk of metastasis. Prior studies have demonstrated metastasis rates of 3-9%, occurring, on average, one to two years after initial diagnosis [6].
Both melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancers can run in families. A primary risk factor for skin cancer is UV exposure. Exposure to UV light may be similar between members of the same family and may contribute to multiple family members being diagnosed with melanoma and/or nonmelanoma skin cancers.
UV damage to your skin caused by the sun or tanning beds.
This is the most common contributing factor. Indoor tanning can increase your risk of developing squamous cell skin cancer by 58%1.
Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin is usually not life-threatening, though it can be aggressive. Untreated, squamous cell carcinoma of the skin can grow large or spread to other parts of your body, causing serious complications.
Inheritance. HNSCC is generally not inherited; it typically arises from mutations in the body's cells that occur during an individual's lifetime. This type of alteration is called a somatic mutation. Rarely, HNSCC is found in several members of a family.
Family history
Melanoma can run in families. In fact, about one in every 10 patients diagnosed with melanoma has a family member with a history of the disease. If one or more close biological relatives – parents, brothers, sisters or children – had melanoma, you are at increased risk.
In general, the squamous cell carcinoma survival rate is very high—when detected early, the five-year survival rate is 99 percent. Even if squamous cell carcinoma has spread to nearby lymph nodes, the cancer may be effectively treated through a combination of surgery and radiation treatment.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma Early Stages
At first, cancer cells appear as flat patches in the skin, often with a rough, scaly, reddish, or brown surface. These abnormal cells slowly grow in sun-exposed areas.
Squamous cell carcinoma is cancer that occurs in the outermost part of the epidermis (skin surface) or the surface of certain portions of the body (areas of the head and neck or genitalia) known as squamous cells.
Most (95% to 98%) of squamous cell carcinomas can be cured if they are treated early. Once squamous cell carcinoma has spread beyond the skin, though, less than half of people live five years, even with aggressive treatment.
Systemic chemotherapy is not widely used for treating squamous cell carcinoma. In most cases, the cancer cells are confined to one area of skin and, if detected early, can be effectively addressed with localized treatments, such as surgery.
Each year, nearly 5 million people are treated for skin cancer, and in the last three decades, more Americans have had skin cancer than all other cancers combined. But here's the good news: You can often see the early warning signs of skin cancer... without an x-ray or blood test or special diagnostic procedure.
You can feel well and still have skin cancer
Most people who find a suspicious spot on their skin or streak beneath a nail feel fine. They don't have any pain. They don't feel ill. The only difference they notice is the suspicious-looking spot.
Oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC and OPSCC) represent the majority of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). Human papillomavirus (HPV) is an important etiologic factor together with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).
Age. Most basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas typically appear after age 50. However, in recent years, the number of skin cancers in people age 65 and older has increased dramatically. This may be due in part to better screening and patient tracking efforts in skin cancer.
When caught promptly, almost all squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) of the skin can be successfully treated. But when they become more advanced, these skin cancers can become dangerous. That's why it's important to be on the lookout for any SCC warning signs, including new, changing or unusual skin growths.
Treatment should happen as soon as possible after diagnosis, since more advanced SCCs of the skin are more difficult to treat and can become dangerous, spreading to local lymph nodes, distant tissues and organs.
Blood test
Squamous cell carcinoma blood tests typically include a complete blood count (CBC), which looks at the number of red and white blood cells and platelets. Abnormal numbers can be indicative of a problem.
Stage 2 squamous cell carcinoma
In stage 2, the cancer is larger than 2 centimeters across, and has not spread to nearby organs or lymph nodes, or a tumor of any size with two or more high risk features.