Home

Back
SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA (RCC) is a type of malignant tumor that develops from atypical cells of the squamous epithelium. Since the epithelium in the human body is found in many organs, the localization of squamous cell carcinoma can be different. This type of malignant tumors is characterized by rapid progression and a very aggressive course, that is, the cancer grows very quickly, in a short time sprouting all layers of skin or walls of internal organs covered with epithelium, and giving metastases to the lymph nodes, from where they can spread with the flow of lymph to other organs and tissues. Most often, squamous cell carcinoma of various localization develops in people over 65 years of age, and in men it is somewhat more common than in women.

Since the epithelium in the human body is very widespread, squamous cell tumors can form in almost any organ. So, there are two main types of epithelium – it is keratinized and non-keratinized. The non–keratinizing epithelium is all the mucous membranes of the human body (nose, mouth, throat, esophagus, stomach, intestines, vagina, vaginal part of the cervix, bronchi, etc.). The keratinizing epithelium is a collection of skin integuments. Accordingly, squamous cell carcinoma can form on any mucous membrane or on the skin. In addition, in more rare cases, squamous cell carcinoma can form in other organs from cells that have undergone metaplasia, that is, they have first turned into epithelial-like, and then into cancerous. Thus, it is obvious that the term "squamous cell carcinoma" refers most to the histological characteristics of a malignant tumor.


Currently, there are several classifications of squamous cell carcinoma, taking into account its various characteristics. The classification, which takes into account the histological type of tumor, distinguishes the following types of squamous cell carcinoma:
  • Squamous cell keratinizing (differentiated) cancer;
  • Squamous cell non-cancerous (undifferentiated) cancer;
  • Low-grade cancer, similar to sarcoma in the appearance of the cells forming it;
  • Glandular squamous cell carcinoma.
Squamous cell carcinoma most often develops in the following organs and tissues: skin; lungs; larynx; esophagus; cervix; vagina; bladder. Moreover, skin cancer is most common, which develops in 90% of cases in open areas of the skin, such as the face, neck, arms, etc.

Depending on the type of growth, squamous cell carcinoma is divided into the following forms:
  • Exophytic form (papillary) is characterized by the formation of a nodule clearly delimited from the surrounding tissues, which gradually increases in size. As a result, a tumor is formed that resembles the inflorescences of cauliflower and is colored red-brown. The surface of the tumor has a pronounced uneven bumpy structure with a clearly discernible depression in the central part. Such a tumor can be attached to the surface of the mucous membrane or skin by a thin leg or a wide base. Gradually, the entire surface of the exophytic form of cancer can ulcerate, which marks its transition to the endophytic variety.
  • Endophytic form (infiltrative ulcerative) is characterized by rapid ulceration of a small primary nodule, in place of which one large ulcer forms. Such an ulcer has an irregular shape, dense and raised edges above the center, a rough bottom covered with a whitish coating with a fetid odor. The ulcer practically does not increase in size, as the tumor grows deep into the tissues, affecting muscles, bones, neighboring organs, etc.
  • Mixed form.