Overview & definition
[teach me surgery]
� Is a malignant tumour of keratinocytes, arising from the epidermal layer of the
skin.
Epidemiology
[teach me surgery]
� The second most common form of skin cancer, accounting for 20% of all
cutaneous malignancies
� UK incidence: 10,000 per year
� Death from squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is rare
� More common in men
Aetiology (risk factors)
[teach me surgery] & [passmed]
� Cumulative prolonged exposure to UV light, eg an excessive sunbed use
○ The most common cause
○ Typically loaded found on areas exposed to high doses of radiation, such
as the head & neck, arms and legs
� Chronic wounds and inflammation
○ Particularly burns scars, aka Marjoin’s ulcer
� Immunosuppression - renal transplant, HIV
� Pre-malignancy conditions, such as Bowen’s disease or actinic keratoses
� Smoking (particularly in lip SCC)
� Viruses - herpes simplex, HPV
� Genetic conditions eg xeroderma pigmentosum, oculocutaneous albinism
Relevant anatomy
[teach me surgery]
� Is a malignant tumour of keratinocytes, arising from the epidermal layer of the
skin.
Epidemiology
[teach me surgery]
� The second most common form of skin cancer, accounting for 20% of all
cutaneous malignancies
� UK incidence: 10,000 per year
� Death from squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is rare
� More common in men
Aetiology (risk factors)
[teach me surgery] & [passmed]
� Cumulative prolonged exposure to UV light, eg an excessive sunbed use
○ The most common cause
○ Typically loaded found on areas exposed to high doses of radiation, such
as the head & neck, arms and legs
� Chronic wounds and inflammation
○ Particularly burns scars, aka Marjoin’s ulcer
� Immunosuppression - renal transplant, HIV
� Pre-malignancy conditions, such as Bowen’s disease or actinic keratoses
� Smoking (particularly in lip SCC)
� Viruses - herpes simplex, HPV
� Genetic conditions eg xeroderma pigmentosum, oculocutaneous albinism
Relevant anatomy
