People who have had squamous cell carcinoma are advised to be watchful for a potential recurrence. That's because individuals who were diagnosed and treated for a squamous cell skin lesion have an increased risk of developing a second lesion in the same location or a nearby skin area.
Recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck is a major cause of morbidity and portends poor survival outcomes. Locoregional recurrence, which is seen in 15 to 50 percent of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, is a major factor contributing to mortality from head and neck cancer [1-3].
Most cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas are benign and can be cured with conventional surgery. However, high-risk squamous cell carcinoma has been identified that can metastasise in up to 5% and present local recurrence from 3% to 8%.
The survival time ranged from 6 to 120 months, with a median of 36 months. The Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test showed that the 2- and 5-year survival rates were lower in patients with recurrence than in those without recurrence (67.6% vs. 88.0%, 31.8% vs. 79.9%, P < 0.001) (Figure 1).
If you've had SCC, you have a high chance of recurrence. You also have an elevated risk of developing another SCC or basal cell carcinoma (BCC), since sun damage is the primary cause of both forms of skin cancer.
About 60 percent of people who have had one skin cancer will be diagnosed with a second one within 10 years, says a 2015 study in JAMA Dermatology. Your odds increase dramatically if you've been diagnosed with a second BCC or SCC (or third, or any other number beyond first).
Metastasis of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is rare. However, certain tumor and patient characteristics increase the risk of metastasis. Prior studies have demonstrated metastasis rates of 3-9%, occurring, on average, one to two years after initial diagnosis [6].
Most squamous cell carcinomas of the skin result from prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, either from sunlight or from tanning beds or lamps. Avoiding UV light helps reduce your risk of squamous cell carcinoma of the skin and other forms of skin cancer.
Most squamous cell skin cancers are found and treated at an early stage, when they can be removed or destroyed with local treatment methods. Small squamous cell cancers can usually be cured with these treatments.
Most (95% to 98%) of squamous cell carcinomas can be cured if they are treated early. Once squamous cell carcinoma has spread beyond the skin, though, less than half of people live five years, even with aggressive treatment.
Although squamous cell carcinoma can be more aggressive than basal cell cancer, the risk of this type of cancer spreading is low—as long as the cancer is treated early, Dr. Leffell says. He notes that the lesions must be treated with respect because they may grow rapidly and invade deeply.
Basal and squamous cell cancers don't often spread to other parts of the body. But if your doctor thinks your skin cancer might spread, you might need imaging tests, such as MRI or CT scans.
In this study, we demonstrated that chronic stress profoundly accelerates the emergence and development of squamous cell carcinoma and their precursors while suppressing tumor regression in a mouse model.
Treatment should happen as soon as possible after diagnosis, since more advanced SCCs of the skin are more difficult to treat and can become dangerous, spreading to local lymph nodes, distant tissues and organs.
Squamous cell carcinomas can form on your skin (epidermis) in the same way BCC does, but SCC can also form where you have mucus membranes on your body, which includes the inside of your mouth, throat, lungs and genitals.
Treatment overview
In June 2020, pembrolizumab (Keytruda®) was approved by the FDA for the treatment of recurrent or metastatic SCC that is not curable by radiation or surgery. In July 2021, the FDA expanded this approval to include SCC that is locally advanced and not curable by radiation or surgery.
Squamous cell cancer usually occurs on the face, ears, neck, hands, or arms. It may occur on other areas. The main symptom is a growing bump that may have a rough, scaly surface and flat reddish patches.
Stage 1 squamous cell carcinoma
In stage 1, the cancer is less than 2 centimeters, about 4/5 of an inch across, has not spread to nearby lymph nodes or organs, and has one or fewer high-risk features.
Squamous cell carcinoma rarely metastasizes (spreads to other areas of the body), and when spreading does occur, it typically happens slowly. Indeed, most squamous cell carcinoma cases are diagnosed before the cancer has progressed beyond the upper layer of skin.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma Significantly More Dependent on Sugar Than Other Cancer Types.
Most cases of squamous cell carcinoma can be cured when found early and treated properly. Today, many treatment options are available, and most are easily performed at a doctor's office.