What Is Skin Squamous Cell Carcinoma?
Despite being the second most common form of skin cancer, squamous cell carcinoma too often flies under the radar. Each year, more than 1 million people in the U.S. are diagnosed with it, and rocker David Roach hopes to raise awareness.
The founder of the heavy metal band Junkyard shared his diagnosis on the band’s Instagram account recently and his band immediately set up a GoFundMe to assist with his medical bills. He has stepped away from performing and is under continuous care.
But what is skin squamous cell carcinoma? According to Kenneth Tsai, MD, PhD, vice chair of Pathology Research at Moffitt Cancer Center, it can often be avoided if the right precautions are taken.
“The biggest environmental risk for the development of skin squamous cell carcinoma is sun exposure,” Tsai said. “Accordingly, the sites most often affected are the head and neck area.”
Results Shattered Our World
For Roach, it was a fever and inflammation on his neck and in his throat that prompted a visit to the emergency room. His fiancé, Jennifer, shared it was that visit that led to the cancer diagnosis.
“We got results that have completely shattered our world,” she wrote. “David is showing such incredible strength and resilience, and even in the midst of this darkness, he’s still managing to keep his sense of humor.”
Like with other cancers, early detection and treatment are key to a successful outcome, Tsai said. Skin squamous cell carcinoma can present as rough or scaly red bumps and raised lesions on the skin. They can often ulcerate and bleed.
“As a general rule, smaller lesions are easier to treat,” Tsai said.
HPV Can Contribute
Surgery is very often successful in treating skin squamous cell carcinoma, Tsai said, cautioning that a small percentage of cases can see a recurrence that covers a larger area of the skin or even spread to nearby lymph nodes or other organs.
Squamous cell carcinoma can also cause long-standing inflammation or chronic wounds or scars, and while it is often related to sun exposure, that’s not its only cause. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection can also be a contributor when skin squamous cell carcinoma is found in the nailbed or near the genitals.
Immunosuppressed Are More at Risk
According to the American Cancer Society, both basal and squamous cell skin cancers are common, but deaths related to them are not. Most people who die from these cancers are older and may not have seen a doctor until the cancer has already grown quite large.
“Individuals who are immunosuppressed, particularly those who are solid organ transplant recipients, are about 100 times more likely to develop skin squamous cell carcinoma,” Tsai said. Death rates among those who are immunosuppressed are also much higher.
Genetics can also play a role in the development of skin squamous cell carcinoma, Tsai said. Those with xeroderma pigmentosa, which is an inherited defect in the ability to repair DNA damaged by UV light exposure, have an increasingly high risk of this and other skin cancers.
According to the National Institutes of Health, skin squamous cell carcinoma most often occurs in older men. Other people more likely to die of these cancers include those being treated for autoimmune diseases such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.
SKIN CANCER FACTS
- 5.4 million basal and squamous cell skin cancers are diagnosed each year in the U.S.
- 2 out of 10 skin cances are squamous cell carcinoma
- 2,000-8,000 people die in the U.S. each year from squamous cell skin cancer
- Those with suppressed immune systems or transplanted organs are at a higher risk of death from squamous cell carcinoma
- Exposure to ultraviolet radiation and HPV can cause squamous cell carcinoma
Source: American Cancer Society
‘Not Giving Up Hope’
Roach is staying optimistic and is not giving up hope, according to the Instagram post.
“We know this journey ahead will be extremely tough. David made it clear he is not giving up hope and we’re going to need all of your love and prayers.”
