As a kind of cancer, skin cancer is common. Its varieties have a different course and differ from each other in external manifestations, as well as a tendency to metastasize.
Currently, the cases of diagnosing the examined condition of the skin have become much larger, and in many respects this is due to deteriorating environmental conditions in large megacities.
Squamous cell carcinoma should be considered as such a type of cancer that can occur on any part of the skin. Rare is its appearance in the tissues of bones and lungs, even more rare - in glands( sweat and sebaceous).No more than 10% of cases of this form of cancerous lesions of the skin are observed with the formation of metastases.
The peculiarity of all forms of this type of cancer is its high rate of development and go one stage to the following. There is a germination in neighboring tissues, and blood and lymph cancerous cells are carried lightly across the body.
What are the varieties of this type of skin cancer that exist?
Forms of squamous cell carcinoma of the skin
The following forms are characteristic for the considered form of oncological lesion, which differ in their external manifestations, as well as the types of treatment used:
- plaque form - this type of skin lesions looks like a sharply stained area with a surfacewhich can be seen even with the naked eye, small in size bumps. The area is rough to the touch, the skin becomes denser than in other areas, and the growth rate is quite large.
As the plaque form of cancer develops, it germinates in the tissues of neighboring areas, there may be bleeding and severe soreness;
- nodular form - externally this kind of squamous cell cancer resembles a large cluster of nodules of various sizes, with a large cluster of them, the outer part of the affected tissue resembles the inflorescence of cauliflower. The flatness of this new growth is dense, the color is pronounced brown, its base is considerable, and the upper part is tuberous.
Often the nodular form of the considered variety of oncological disease occurs in the places of the scar location and the place of old injuries.
First, cracks appear on the skin, which are very painful, then you can gradually detect small nodules that initially do not cause painful manifestations and have pronounced mobility, and as the pathological process develops, the nodules increase, lose mobility and become painful.
The development of such a form of malignant neoplasm is quite fast, the oncological malignant tumor penetrates into deeper layers of the epidermis;
- peptic ulcer - for this type of malignant skin surface damage, the appearance of crater-like ulcers on the upper layer of the epidermis, which are slightly elevated above the surface of the body, the edges look like a roller, and the depression gradually descends.
Ulcers have the property of rapidly expanding, and their growth is observed both in width and in deeper layers of the epidermis.
A characteristic feature of this form of squamous cell variety of oncology is the appearance of a specific odor - it is this symptom that should alert and become a reason for examining the entire surface of the body. When pressing on the surface of a crater ulcer, bloody discharge may appear.
In the picture, squamous cell carcinoma of the facial skin in the initial stage of development of
It should also be separately identified conditional division of squamous cell carcinoma into non-corroborating differentiated cancer , which has the property of being formed from cells that do not undergo keratinization, and a keratinizing appearance.
- Non-horny type can be a highly differentiated , which does not spread very quickly, because a small number of atypical cells appear in the body.
- The low-grade, non-squamous squamous type disease develops rapidly, the number of aggressive atypical cells in the body is many.
- The keratinized differentiated skin cancer of the form in question is more difficult to diagnose, since neoplasms have no pronounced color, and the rate of its growth is quite high.
What is the cause of the pathology?
Oncological diseases generally do not have clear causes of occurrence. However, there are a number of factors provoking this condition, which can cause the onset of the tumor process. Let's list the main ones.
To factors that can cause the development of squamous type of oncology of the skin surface, it is necessary to relate:
- the elderly age of - it is the age category over 55 that is considered the most susceptible to cancer;elderly people suffer them more often than young: this is partly explained by a decrease in the level of the body's resistance to infections and extraneous aggressive influences, a decrease in the production of immune bodies;
- presence of a light shade of skin and residence in southern regions;
- superfluous insolation of and insufficient use of sunscreen;
- work in harmful production - Regular exposure to the body of substances such as tar, arsenic, soot cause the emergence and rapid development of cancer in general;
- not cured skin diseases , frequent occurrences of herpes, papillomas;
- low level of immunity;
- hereditary factor - genetic predisposition plays an important role in the occurrence of cancer.
There is also a number of precancerous skin diseases that, without the necessary treatment, are capable of degenerating into a malignant disease. These include dermatitis of various nature, pustular lesions, not completely cured ulcers.
What are the manifestations of the onset and development of the disease?
Clinical picture
The onset of squamous cell carcinoma is the formation in the upper layer of the epidermis, on the very surface of the skin of small disjointed neoplasms, they are often slightly yellowish in color, there is no pain in palpation.
Gradually the neoplasms become larger in size, begin to merge into one, the density of the skin in this place becomes much higher, gradually the color changes to more pronounced.
A noticeable plaque forms, which is located above the plane of the body. As the malignant tumor develops, the color of the formation becomes more pronounced - from reddish to brown with various shades.
The edges of the neoplasm are more elevated, differ in high roughness, depending on the belonging to a particular type of squamous cell cancer, the tumor acquires specific features. Common is the increase in size, the appearance of pain when pressing, as well as the release of exudates with purulent, bloody or mixed composition.
The upper plane of the growing neoplasm is covered with a dense crust, which breaks out at the slightest damage and begins to bleed. Its edges become like a roller, the upper part is covered with sores.
Symptoms of
The squamous cell form of this condition has quite pronounced manifestations, which are less noticeable during the initial stage of development of this condition, but they can alert and encourage visits to the medical institution.
The first symptoms of this form of oncological disease include the appearance of a small plaque or a seal on the surface of the body, which has a yellowish color. To the touch, this formation is somewhat compacted, it can slightly rise above the level of the skin.
Gradually, malignant cells grow and the tumor becomes more pronounced - the area of damage becomes wider, tuberosity - more pronounced. Since the rate of development of the disease is high, such a neoplasm gradually ulcerates, the surface becomes rough, palpation may show soreness.
Further malignant neoplasm begins to germinate in the tissue and this process is accompanied by pain, the amount of secretions increases.
The process of the development of the disease has several distinct stages, which differ in the appearance and degree of penetration of metastases into adjacent tissues.
Stages of development of
Four periods of development of this type of skin cancer are identified. Let us consider them in more detail.
First
When the onset of the disease on the surface of the body appears a small seal, not attracting attention and not causing pain, it can be mobile. The size of the affected area is not more than 2 cm in diameter.
Metastases have not yet begun to appear, the color of such growths is from yellowish to light brown.
Diagnosis rarely reveals oncology at the first stage - patients do not often turn to the appeared affected area of attention, which allows the disease to develop, and the first stage passes to the next.
The second
This stage is already characterized by the appearance of the first metastasis, which mainly appears in the lymph nodes and the cancer cells are spread by the blood flow to all tissues and organs.
The size of the affected area goes beyond 2 cm, there is a pronounced tightness of the skin, the color becomes more pronounced.
When pressed, tenderness may not yet be evident, however, discomfort may occur when pressed.
Third
The progression of the disease manifests itself both in the increase in the area of the lesion and in the greater metastasis;not only closely located lymph nodes, but also tissues of healthy neighboring organs are affected. Painfulness with pressure becomes more palpable, possibly the appearance of excretions from sores on the surface of the tumor.
The edges of the affected area have rollers of highly compacted epidermis, the entire surface is ulcerated.
Fourth
In the fourth, the last stage of its development, squamous cell carcinoma already metastasized into the lymph nodes and tissues, the tenderness is expressed and can be constant, and often there are ulceration on the surface of the affected area.
Metastases at this stage have already penetrated into the cartilaginous tissues, as well as the bones. As a result, closely located joints begin to lose mobility.
What methods of diagnosing this type of malignant tumor can be used to obtain an accurate diagnosis?
Diagnosis
Three main methods are used to diagnose this type of cancer:
- histological examination - for this purpose a small piece of tissue is studied under the microscope, and this study allows to determine both the presence of atypical cells in the tissue and their belonging to a certain type of malignant neoplasm;
- cytological scraping - here also the tissue taken by the scraping method from the surface of an ulcer or wound is examined;
- laboratory methods.
The combination of these methods allows to determine both the type of malignant tumor and the stage of its development.
MRI is usually used to diagnose the presence of metastases, as well as computed tomography. Obligatory is the division of squamous cell carcinoma with such similar external symptoms as Bowen's disease, basal cell and cutaneous horn.
Treatment of
After diagnosis is prescribed treatment.
And to determine its method should take into account such factors as the stage of the disease, the location of the swollen, the presence and number of metastases, as well as general health indicators of the patient and belonging to a certain age category.
Currently, there are several most effective methods of treatment of the type of cancer affected. These include the following:
- surgical intervention;
- cryodestruction;
- chemotherapy;
- X-ray therapy;
- application of photodynamic therapy;
- laser tumor removal.
In parallel with the listed methods of cancer treatment should be applied restorative procedures that increase the level of immunity of the patient and improve his overall condition.
Consider in more detail some of these methods.
Surgical intervention
This method of treatment involves a satisfactory state of the patient who will be able to undergo surgery. This method is used in the presence of significant skin lesions, as well as in the advanced stages of cancer.
Cryodestruction of
This technique in combination with electrocoagulation is used for multiple lesions, as well as for minor lesions of the skin and relapses of the disease.
Chemotherapy
This method of treating manifestations of squamous cell carcinoma is also considered one of the most effective. It is used both in relapses, and in the presence of late stages of cancer and its extensive damage to the body.
Chemotherapy allows you to maximize the healthy surface of the human body near the affected area, the effect is only on the tumor itself.
X-ray therapy
This method of exposure is used for lesions of squamous cell carcinoma of the facial skin( eyelid, the area near the lips, nose and mouth).Also an indication to the use of this method is the elderly age of the patient.
Removal of skin cancer metastases is also performed when exposed areas are irradiated.
Prognosis and prophylaxis of
Prediction should be made by the attending physician and the conclusion is made on the basis of such data as the stage of the disease development, the age of the patient, his health at the time of detection of squamous cell carcinoma, the treatment and condition after the medical treatment.
If the disease is in the third or fourth stage of its development, then the forecast for the next five years of life is about 60%, and with a successful treatment and early stages of this form of cancer - more than 90%.
Much here depends on the degree of defeat of the body by the cancer disease of this form and the method of treatment.
The most important preventive actions to prevent the occurrence of squamous cell carcinoma include the following:
- regular preventive examination - this allows you to detect any abnormalities in the skin condition and start the treatment in time;
- knowledge of manifestations of squamous cell cancer status at the earliest stages;
- attentive attitude towards one's own state;
- rapid onset of treatment if cancer area is detected;
- lack of self-medication - this can only lead to the appearance of more advanced stages of cancer;
- conducting a healthy lifestyle - active sports, walking in the fresh air, rational and balanced nutrition, a positive attitude.
Taking care of your health, you will protect yourself from many diseases, including from oncological lesions of the skin.