Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Question 1

What are the risk factors for squamous cell carcinoma of the skin?

Answer 1

1. Fair skin and cumulative UV radiation exposure.
2. Immunosuppression
3. Chronic skin ulcers

Question 2

After which surgery is there a high incidence of squamous cell carcinoma?

Answer 2

Renal transplant (due to immunosuppression)

Question 3

What is this a presentation of?

Irregular keratotic lesion, ulceration, crusting, area of direct sun-exposure (predilection for head and neck).

Answer 3

Squamous cell carcinoma

Question 4

Which grows faster, BCC or SCC?

Answer 4

SCC

Question 5

What is the histology of squamous cell carcinoma?

Answer 5

Tumour cells resemble squamous cells (keratinocytes) in the epidermis.

Question 6

Is squamous cell carcinoma graded?

Answer 6

Yes:

Well, moderately, or poorly differentiated.

Question 7

How is squamous cell carcinoma staged?

Answer 7

TNM

Question 8

What is the risk of metastasis for squamous cell carcinoma?

Answer 8

Only 1-2%, still higher than basal cell carcinoma.

Question 9

What is the management for squamous cell carcinoma?

Answer 9

Excision

Question 10

What are the features of squamous cell carcinoma indicating good prognosis?

Answer 10

1. Well differentiated tumours
2. <20mm in diameter
3. <2mm deep
4. No associated disease

Question 11

What are the features of squamous cell carcinoma indicating bad prognosis?

Answer 11

1. Poorly differentiated tumours
2. > 20mm in diameter
3. > 4mm deep
4. Immunosuppression
5. Lips/ears