Squamous cell carcinoma (squamous cell carcinoma) is a group of malignant neoplasms. It can affect various organs, e.g. the skin, thyroid gland, esophagus, and their common feature is that they are formed from epithelial cells. The mortality rate of squamous cell carcinoma has not changed over the past ten years, despite advances in diagnosis and treatment. How does squamous cell carcinoma develop and what are the risk factors?

Squamous cell carcinoma(SCC for short) is a malignant neoplasm arising from epithelial cells located in various organs including the skin, mouth, esophagus, bladder, prostate, lungs, vagina and cervix. Of all squamous cell carcinomas, the most common are:

  • non-melanoma skin cancer
  • head and neck cancers
  • esophageal cancer
  • non-small cell lung cancer

Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common neoplasm with the ability to metastasize, which is a sign of its high malignancy.

Squamous cell carcinoma - how is it formed?

The process of squamous cell carcinoma formation is multi-stage and involves the accumulation of many genetic changes, i.e. mutations, e.g. in genes encoding proteins such as p53, EGFR, VEGF, SOX2, BCL-2.

Their consequence is the activation of genes encoding oncogenes and anti-oncogenes (tumor suppressors) and the uncontrolled growth of tumor cells.

It is worth emphasizing that despite many years of molecular researchthe exact mechanism of squamous cell carcinoma has not been elucidated .

Mutations appear due to both inherent predispositions and environmental factors.

Squamous cell carcinoma - risk factors

The incidence of squamous cell carcinoma shows considerable variability depending on the organ localization.

The described factors that influence the risk of squamous cell carcinoma include:

  • alcohol consumption e.g. in non-small cell lung cancer
  • nutritional factors, e.g. in squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus, following a diet rich in starch and low in fruit and vegetables increases its risk
  • oral hygiene, e.g. in squamous cell carcinoma of the head andneck
  • exposure to ultraviolet radiation, e.g. in squamous cell carcinoma of the skin
  • exposure to occupational factors, e.g. textile fibers
  • radon gas
  • asbestos
  • infections with papillomavirus (HPV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), JC virus (JCV)
  • acid reflux disease
  • Plummer-Vinson syndrome
  • ethnicity e.g. African Americans have a higher risk of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

Squamous cell carcinoma - mortality

Despiteadvances in the diagnosis and treatment of squamous cell carcinomamortality rates in patients have not improved significantly in recent decades.

This is due to the lack of reliable and early diagnostic markers and the limited number of targeted therapeutic strategies.

  • Cancer and genes. Hereditary neoplasms. Check if you are at risk
  • Cancer classification
  • Pre-cancerous conditions in the mouth, esophagus, stomach and large intestine

Category:

Oncology