Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypesSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPrognosis
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prognosis
Squamous cell cancer is cancer that develops from squamous cells, which make up the tissue on our skin, in the respiratory tracts, and in certain portions of the digestive system. They also line other organs such as the bladder, kidneys, and male and female reproductive tracts.
Whencancerdevelops in this type of cell, it is called squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), or squamous cell cancer.
FG Trade / Getty Images
Types of Squamous Cell Carcinoma
SCC can develop in multiple areas, including:
Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC)
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) develops in the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose, and throat.
Head and Neck Cancer
Skin Squamous Cell Carcinoma
SCC of the skin typically develops on sun-exposed areas, such as the:
Esophagus Squamous Cell Carcinoma
SCC is one of the types of cancer that can develop in the esophagus, the tube that moves food and liquids from the mouth to the stomach.
SCC in the esophagus is typically in the upper to the middle part of the esophagus.
Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma
SCC of the lung is often found in the area in the center of the chest, close to the bronchus, the large airway that brings air into the lungs.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Reproductive Organs
SCC can affect both the vagina and the penis:
The symptoms experienced with SCC are different depending upon where the cancer is located.
Symptoms of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC)
Depending on the location, HNSCC can cause:
Symptoms of Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Skin
Symptoms of SCC of the skin may include:
Symptoms of Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Esophagus
Symptoms of SCC of the esophagus may include:
Symptoms of Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Lung
Symptoms of SCC of the lung may include:
Symptoms of Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Reproductive Organs
SCC of the vagina may exhibit the following symptoms:
SCC of the penis may have symptoms of:
There is no one specific known cause for cancer, as cancer develops due to abnormal DNA in a cell. However, some known risk factors may lead to the development of cancer. These include:
Can a Virus Cause Cancer?Both DNA and RNA viruses have been shown to be capable of causing cancer in humans. This includes:Epstein-Barr virusHuman papilloma virusHepatitis B virusHuman herpes virus-8
Can a Virus Cause Cancer?
Both DNA and RNA viruses have been shown to be capable of causing cancer in humans. This includes:Epstein-Barr virusHuman papilloma virusHepatitis B virusHuman herpes virus-8
Both DNA and RNA viruses have been shown to be capable of causing cancer in humans. This includes:
Cancer is oftendiagnosedwhile looking for the cause of a person’s symptoms. Imaging, such as X-ray, CT scan, MRI, or PET scan, may be done. When abnormal areas are found on imaging, a biopsy is then ordered.
During a biopsy, tissue is taken from the abnormal area and sent to a laboratory for testing. The testing will determine if the tissue is cancerous.
There are manyways to treatSCC, and the treatment is chosen based on where the cancer is located. Treatment may consist of:
Some people who are diagnosed with SCC will be able to be cured of their disease, while some will not be. The average 5-year survival rates below are offered as information but should not be used as a prognosis, as survival rates vary based on many factors.
Type of SCCAverage5-Year Survival RateOral or oropharynx66%Nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses58%Nasopharynx32%Larynx and hypopharnyx60%Skin99%Esophagus47%Lung19%Vagina47%Penis82%A Word From VerywellIf you have symptoms that are concerning for cancer, it is normal to feel anxious until a cause of the symptoms is known. It is important to notify your healthcare provider about your symptoms, as outcomes for cancer are generally better if caught early.
A Word From Verywell
If you have symptoms that are concerning for cancer, it is normal to feel anxious until a cause of the symptoms is known. It is important to notify your healthcare provider about your symptoms, as outcomes for cancer are generally better if caught early.
12 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Skin cancer types: squamous cell carcinoma symptoms.National Cancer Institute.Esophageal cancer treatment.American Cancer Society.What is lung cancer?American Cancer Society.What Is vaginal cancer?American Cancer Society.What is penile cancer?American Academy of Dermatology Association.Skin cancer types: squamous cell carcinoma symptoms.American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of vaginal cancer.American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of penile cancer.Liao JB.Viruses and human cancer.Yale J Biol Med. 2006;79(3-4):115-122.American Cancer Society.How is cancer diagnosed?National Cancer Institute.Cancer treatment.Additional ReadingAmerican Cancer Society.Lung cancer survival rates.Farias TP, Dias FL, Lima RA, et al.Prognostic factors and outcome for nasopharyngeal carcinoma.Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2003;129(7):794. doi:10.1001/archotol.129.7.794
12 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Skin cancer types: squamous cell carcinoma symptoms.National Cancer Institute.Esophageal cancer treatment.American Cancer Society.What is lung cancer?American Cancer Society.What Is vaginal cancer?American Cancer Society.What is penile cancer?American Academy of Dermatology Association.Skin cancer types: squamous cell carcinoma symptoms.American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of vaginal cancer.American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of penile cancer.Liao JB.Viruses and human cancer.Yale J Biol Med. 2006;79(3-4):115-122.American Cancer Society.How is cancer diagnosed?National Cancer Institute.Cancer treatment.Additional ReadingAmerican Cancer Society.Lung cancer survival rates.Farias TP, Dias FL, Lima RA, et al.Prognostic factors and outcome for nasopharyngeal carcinoma.Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2003;129(7):794. doi:10.1001/archotol.129.7.794
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Skin cancer types: squamous cell carcinoma symptoms.National Cancer Institute.Esophageal cancer treatment.American Cancer Society.What is lung cancer?American Cancer Society.What Is vaginal cancer?American Cancer Society.What is penile cancer?American Academy of Dermatology Association.Skin cancer types: squamous cell carcinoma symptoms.American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of vaginal cancer.American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of penile cancer.Liao JB.Viruses and human cancer.Yale J Biol Med. 2006;79(3-4):115-122.American Cancer Society.How is cancer diagnosed?National Cancer Institute.Cancer treatment.
MedlinePlus.Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Skin cancer types: squamous cell carcinoma symptoms.
National Cancer Institute.Esophageal cancer treatment.
American Cancer Society.What is lung cancer?
American Cancer Society.What Is vaginal cancer?
American Cancer Society.What is penile cancer?
American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of vaginal cancer.
American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of penile cancer.
Liao JB.Viruses and human cancer.Yale J Biol Med. 2006;79(3-4):115-122.
American Cancer Society.How is cancer diagnosed?
National Cancer Institute.Cancer treatment.
American Cancer Society.Lung cancer survival rates.Farias TP, Dias FL, Lima RA, et al.Prognostic factors and outcome for nasopharyngeal carcinoma.Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2003;129(7):794. doi:10.1001/archotol.129.7.794
American Cancer Society.Lung cancer survival rates.
Farias TP, Dias FL, Lima RA, et al.Prognostic factors and outcome for nasopharyngeal carcinoma.Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2003;129(7):794. doi:10.1001/archotol.129.7.794
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.Cookies SettingsAccept All Cookies
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.
Cookies SettingsAccept All Cookies
