User:Mr. Ibrahem/Squamous cell skin cancer

Squamous-cell skin cancer (SCC), is a type of skin cancer that typically presents as a hard, rough, scaly topped lesion, which may ulcerate. Onset is often over months. SSC is more likely to spread to distant areas than basal cell cancer. When confined to the outermost layer of the skin, a precancerous or in situ form of SCC is known as Bowen's disease.

The greatest risk factor is high total exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the Sun. Other risks include prior scars, chronic wounds, actinic keratosis, lighter skin, Bowen's disease, arsenic exposure, radiation therapy, poor immune system function, previous basal cell carcinoma, and HPV infection. Risk from UV radiation is related to total exposure, rather than early exposure. Tanning beds are becoming another common source of ultraviolet radiation. It begins from squamous cells found within the skin. Diagnosis is often based on skin examination and confirmed by tissue biopsy. Other common skin cancers include basal cell cancer, and melanoma.

Decreasing exposure to ultraviolet radiation and the use of sunscreen appear to be effective methods of preventing squamous-cell skin cancer. Treatment is typically by surgical removal. This can be by simple excision if the cancer is small otherwise Mohs surgery is generally recommended. Other options may include application of cold and radiation therapy. In the cases in which distant spread has occurred chemotherapy or biologic therapy may be used.

As of 2015, about 2.2 million people have SCC at any given time. It makes up about 20% of all skin cancer cases. About 12% of males and 7% of females in the United States developed SCC at some point in time. While prognosis is usually good, if distant spread occurs five-year survival is ~34%. In 2015 it resulted in about 51,900 deaths globally. The usual age at diagnosis is around 66. Following the successful treatment of one case of SCC people are at high risk of developing further cases.