Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, a disease of high worldwide relevance

Abstract

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), formerly called squamous cell carcinoma, is defined as the primary skin tumor that expresses a predominant desquamative differentiation. It usually appears from precursor lesions, such as actinic keratosis or Bowen's disease (carcinoma in situ), although it can also appear on irradiated skin or on chronic or de novo inflammatory lesions, such as burn scars, ulcers on the lower limbs and in cases of deep mycosis; as well as in high and medium risk areas of the head and neck. It has an incidence up to three times more in men than in women, and it occurs mostly between the ages of 64 to 76 years. It´s the second leading cause of death from skin cancer after melanoma. It´s part of the non-melanocytic skin cancers and is considered one of the most frequent cancers in the white-skinned population, skin types I and II according to the Fitzpatrick classification and having work outdoors such as agriculture and construction, have a higher risk of suffering the disease. The definitive diagnosis of SCC is established by biopsy of the lesion and examination with histopathology. Surgery represents the treatment of choice and the Mohs technique is considered the technique of choice.