The second most common cancer found in the population, 20% of all skin cancers are squamous cell carcinoma. Located on the top layer of the skin, squamous cells are the flat scaly cells that are directly hit by the sunlight. They are in one respect our first line of defense against the environment and because of this, cancer is common in these cells. Unlike BCC, squamous cell carcinoma grows quickly and is deadly, killing 5% of those who are afflicted. The cancer usual forms on the rim of the ears, lips, face, or back of the hands.
The way squamous cell carcinoma spreads through the body, like most malignant cancers, is through the lymph and blood system. What happens is that the cancer will first form in a squamous cell located, as stated, in the epidermal layer. Below this layer is the dermis layer, which contains blood vessels, nerves, hair follicles, and sweat glands. While the purpose of the dermis is to make sweat and secrete oils, it also doubles as a loading station for cancerous cells. As the squamous cell carcinoma tumor grows larger it reaches down into the dermis and can shed cells into the bloodstream. At this point squamous cell carcinoma is at its greatest potential for destruction. What usually happens now is that satellite tumors form along the blood vessel that carries the cancerous cells. This string of tumors in the blood vessel is what makes this cancer so deadly. If the cancerous cells traveling through the bloodstream reach vital organs then tumors will grow there as well. It is no wonder why this disease can be so dangerous.
Like BCC, squamous cell carcinoma is hard to be self diagnosed until it is in its later stages. It appears as a wart-like red scaly patch at first. Later it begins crusting and ulcerating. Sun exposed areas that are scarred or have been treated with radiation are at the highest risk. Squamous cell carcinoma caused by factors other than sun exposure are more likely to metastasize and therefore are more deadly. If detected early enough it can be treated with various methods. If left untreated it is definitely fatal.
Note: While searching for pictures of squamous cell carcinoma, it became obvious
that this was the most disfiguring skin cancer out of the three. This is a personal
opinion, but the picture shown at the top of this page is one of the easier ones to
look at. Squamous cell carcinoma is noted for the fact that it creates ulcerating lesions,
which means open wounds that do not heal. If you feel you would like to see other
examples of skin cancers that we chose not to include on this web page,
we recommend this site:
A Medical Education Service for the Public By Singapore National Skin Center