Squamous Cell Carcinoma is a type of cancer that occurs mainly on the surface of the skin in groups that are called Squamous Cell Melanomas
Squamous Cell Carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer in women, affecting about four to five times more than other types of cancer in women.
Squamous Cell carcinoma is the name given to a subtype of cancer that develops as a result of mutations in genes. Squamous Cell carcinoma has three subtypes, called grade I and II, which occur when mutations in two genes, known as the Erythroleukoplakia Mutations, occur in different parts of the body. Squamous Cell carcinoma is considered an aggressive form of skin cancer, and the only good news is that this form of cancer usually responds well to treatment.
The normal cells of the skin (keratinocytes) are composed of four major subcellular components: a single nucleus containing three layers of hair-like cells, a pigment cell, and a lipid bilayer. Keratinocytes are responsible for making the skin elastic, smooth, and wrinkle-free, but mutations can cause the keratinocytes to become cancerous and multiply rapidly.
Squamous Cell carcinoma is often referred to as a type of non-Hodgkins lymphoma. However, it is not a case of non-Hodgkins lymphoma. This type of cancer affects the epidermis, which is the topmost layer of the skin; it is also called a squamous cell carcinoma (SC).
There are several types of drugs that can be used to treat Squamous Cell Carcinoma. The most common ones include:
- Surgery – The most common type of surgery used for treating squamous cell carcinoma is surgery. In general, the surgery is the surgical removal of the affected area and then the surrounding skin or muscle tissue. Surgical excision of the tumor can be done through the abdominal cavity or through the skin.
- Radiation Therapy – The most popular method of treatment is to expose the tumor in an effort to kill all the cancerous cells. Usually the radioactive isotopes are used, but they have a tendency to have side effects like skin lightening, blistering, and thinning.
- Chemotherapy – the use of chemical agents (tumor-destroying agents) to eliminate the cancerous cells. Chemotherapy is used to help the cancer cells to grow and to stop further multiplication. The most common method of treatment is by administering drugs called "Chemoattractants" tissue inhibitors, which make the cancer cells unable to reproduce.
Chemotherapy is administered intravenously and through the skin. The most common chemotherapy drug used is cyclophotheresis. Cytotexate is a commonly used chemotherapeutic agent and has been used to treat several types of cancers. Another one that is commonly used is paclitaxel, a kind of hormone.
Chemotherapy is usually combined with radiation therapy to help kill the remaining cancerous cells. Other methods that are used to treat Squamous Cell Carcinoma are laser surgery, which destroys the cancerous cells without the need for damaging the skin.
Radiation Therapy is the other most widely used treatment for Squamous Cell Carcinoma. The radiation treatment is either external meaning it is delivered through the skin, or it is an internal procedure.
External Radiation Therapy: This type of therapy uses a beam of light to destroy the squamous cells. The laser can also be used to destroy the melanin-producing cells in the melanin-producing cells.
Internal Radiation Therapy: In this treatment, the tumor is targeted with energy beams. The radiation rays can be absorbed into the tumor or injected into the skin of the body. Sometimes the radiation can be spread through the bloodstream and be used to attack malignant cells that may be outside the tumor.