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Squamous cell carcinoma is one of the most frequently diagnosed malignant neoplasms. This type of cancer can find and develop on the skin, mouth, esophagus, lungs, and cervix. Squamous cell carcinoma occurs in various forms, but is not always prone to metastasis. What is squamous cell carcinoma and how are its different locations described?
What is squamous cell carcinoma?
Squamous cell carcinoma belongs to the group of malignant tumors and can develop in different parts of the body. The most common sites for squamous cell carcinoma are the skin, mouth, lungs and cervix. The development of this type is preceded by the process of epithelial metaplasia, in which healthy cells are replaced with cells capable of cancer formation. There are 4 forms of squamous cell carcinoma:
- squamous cell carcinoma – this form of squamous cell carcinoma develops mainly in the skin and mucous membranes;
- basal cell – this form most often develops around the nose and auricles, as well as around the face;
- keratinizing – this form of cancer is characterized by the fact that there is a keratinization process on the surface of the tumor.
- non-keratinized.
There is also a known mild type of squamous cell carcinoma, namely squamous cell papilloma. If this disease is ignored and not treated, the tumor may become malignant.
Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin
Skin squamous cell carcinoma is a malignant skin cancer that usually grows very slowly but tends to be metastatic to other distant organs. Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin is made up in part of cells that become keratinized. The most mature form of this cancer was previously known as squamous cell carcinoma of the skin. This type of cancer is the second most common skin cancer. Factors that influence the formation and development of squamous cell carcinoma of the skin are: exposure to sunlight, genetic conditions, old age, light skin, treatment that reduces immunity as well as extensive scars and non-healing wounds.
Squamous cell carcinoma in the mouth
Squamous cell carcinoma can also develop in the mouth. This type of cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the mouth. Squamous cell carcinoma usually develops as a result of so-called precancerous lesions. These changes include:
- white keratosis – a white lesion on the oral mucosa;
- erythroplakia – a red lesion on the oral mucosa;
- hyperkeratosis of the lip, called lip hyperkeratosis.
Symptoms of squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity are ulcers on the mucosa, infiltrates and severe pain while eating. There is also a restriction in the mobility of the tongue.
Squamous cell carcinoma in the esophagus
As with oral squamous cell carcinoma, in the esophagus, squamous cell carcinoma is the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer. Factors that increase your risk of developing this cancer include:
- alcohol abuse;
- heavy smoking;
- long-term inflammation of the esophagus;
- esophageal achalasia;
- Plummer-Vinson syndrome, or atrophic inflammation of the tongue;
- hypochromic anemia;
- frequent consumption of hot dishes and drinking boiling drinks;
- deficiency of iron, vitamins and other macronutrients;
- contamination with fungi or nitrogen compounds of consumed food.
In esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, it is very difficult to swallow food, first solid and later also liquid. There are also nausea, vomiting, and a decrease in appetite, which in turn causes a significant decrease in body weight.
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