Squamous cell carcinoma occurs when malignant proliferation and transformation of squamous cells, which are the major type of cell in the epidermis layer, happen. Squamous cell carcinoma is usually localized, but it can spread to the other part of human body. When confined to the skin, it is easily treated. In most cases, cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma arises in people with known factors, such as over exposure to the UV light from sun.

Besides skin, this type of cancer may affect other organs such as esophagus, lungs, penis, prostate, vagina and cervix. Although sun exposure causes most cases of squamous cell cancinoma, other risk factors also can lead to this type of cancer, including:

1. Carcinogenic factors

  • Human Papilloma Virus has been associated with squamous cell cancer of the lung,  oropharynx, anogenital region, and fingers
  • Chemicals agent such as arsenic may increase the risk of these skin cancers
  • Smoking increases the risks of squamous cell carcinoma by twofold

2. Genetic syndromes

There are a number of genetic syndromes which increase the risk of skin cancers. These include xeroderma pigmentosa which is a defect in DNA repair. This condition is associated with sun sensitivity, extensive freckling and the risk of non-melanoma skin cancers is almost 5,000 times that of the normal population.your-skin-cancer-risk

Ocular or cutaneous albinism which is a genetic disease with very little pigment also increase the risk of squamous cell carcinomas. There is also a rare genetic disorder called epidermal dysplasia verruciformis and dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa increase risk of squamous cell carcinomas.

3. Chronic immunosuppression

Individuals who are immunosuppressed such as after kidney or heart transplants are also at significant increased risk of aggressive squamous cell carcinomas.

The relation for the increase in these cancers among immunosuppressed patients is not completely understood, although it is often attributed to decreased cancer surveillance owing to panimmunosuppression that results from drug therapy and exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation.

A recent study points a finger elsewhere: they show that azathioprine, an immunosuppressant used in organ transplantation, sensitizes DNA to ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation.

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