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Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) most commonly originates from keratinocytes in sun-damaged skin either de novo or from a preexisting actinic keratosis or SCC in situ (also known as Bowen’s disease), predominantly affecting the head, neck, and arms. It can also arise in nonsun-exposed skin most commonly from chronic leg ulcers and burn scars.
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Incidence: it is the second most common skin cancer in Caucasians and the most common skin cancer in darkly pigmented skin. Approximately 150,000 cases/year are diagnosed in the United States
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Age: most common in patients over 55 years
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Race: mainly affects Caucasians
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Sex: higher incidence in males
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Precipitating factors: chronic ultraviolet radiation and fair skin are the most significant predisposing factors. Other factors include immunosuppression, human papilloma virus infection, ionizing radiation, arsenic exposure, genetic disorders (epidermodysplasia verruciformis, albinism, xeroderma pigmentosum, epidermolysis bullosa), PUVA exposure, smoking, and chronic inflammation (ulcers, burn scars, discoid lupus)
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The most common altered gene in SCC is the p53 tumor suppressor gene, resulting in keratinocyte immortalization and unregulated cell proliferation.
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Hyperkeratotic skin-colored to erythematous papule, plaque, or nodule (Figs. 53.1 and 53.2). It can be ulcerated, friable, or exophytic. It most commonly presents within sun-damaged skin.
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DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSES
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Keratoacanthoma (Fig. 53.3), hypertrophic actinic keratosis, basal cell carcinoma (BCC), inflamed seborrheic keratosis.
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Proliferation of atypical keratinocytes with variable differentiation of the epidermis and variably sized nests and islands invading the dermis. Foci of keratinization are noted in well-differentiated variants. Perineural involvement may be observed.
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SCC tends to be more aggressive than BCC, with a reported 2% to 3% incidence of metastasis. Mucocutaneous SCC has a higher rate of metastasis, as high as 11%. More aggressive forms of SCC are observed in immunosuppressed patients or SCC that arises within previously irradiated sites, scars, burns, and areas of inflammation. There is a higher metastatic potential for SCC arising on the ear and the lip.
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KEY CONSULTATIVE QUESTIONS
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Evaluate for past history of blistering sunburns and chronic sun exposure. Determine if other predisposing ...