Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a kind of skin cancer. While stage 1 squamous cell carcinoma is most typically associated with sun-exposed skin, it can also affect the mouth, airways, lungs, digestive tract, and urinary tract. As a result, the specific symptoms and staging criteria might differ depending on the area.
Even more, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is responsible for the majority of nonmelanoma skin cancer-related metastatic illness and mortality.
Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most prevalent cutaneous cancer in the United States. Immunosuppression, chronic wounds, fair skin, male gender, advanced age, many genetic disorders, environmental exposures including UV radiation, and a history of squamous cell carcinoma are all risk factors.
Doctors utilize a staging system to evaluate how serious SCC is. There are five phases in all, ranging from zero to four. SCC phases define the main tumor’s size and the extent to which it has migrated from its original location.
What Is Stage 1 Squamous Cell Carcinoma?
During stage 1 squamous cell carcinoma, cancerous cells are seen in the skin or other tissues. The tumor is small, and it has not migrated to any lymph nodes.
Lymph nodes are components of the lymphatic system. Once cancer gets to them, it can spread to other parts of the body.
At this stage, SCC of the skin or mouth may appear as a lesion or lump. If it occurs in the mouth, it will be less than two centimeters (cm) broad and may bleed quickly.
Treatment Options for Early-Stage Carcinoma
Therapeutic options for stage 1 squamous cell carcinoma include surgical and nonsurgical treatment options. Treatment for locally progressed and metastatic SCC depends on the degree of the cancer.
Surgical Treatment
Surgical excision remains the gold standard, including conventional and Mohs surgery.
Conventional excision requires total removal and hence includes a margin of clinically normal-looking skin around the tumor and surrounding erythema.
Dermoscopy is one imaging method to examine clinical margins before surgery. 4- to 6-mm clinical margins for routine excision of low-risk SCC, but Mohs surgery is advised in:
- high-risk SCC.
- SCC in immunocompromised individuals.
- “Special-site SCC” such as head and neck, where tissue preservation is critical.
Nonsurgical Treatment
If surgical therapy is not possible for in situ or low-risk SCC, physicians should consider noninvasive local options. Nonsurgical treatment options include:
- Photodynamic therapy (includes topical application of a photosensitizer, followed by 1 to several hours of light irradiation).
- Topical therapy with imiquimod (3.75%–5%), or 5-fluorouracil.
- Nonsurgical ablative techniques include laser ablation (CO2, Erbium), electrocoagulation, and cryosurgery.
- Systemic treatments, such as capecitabine or epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors (cetuximab, panitumumab)
If cancer reaches lymph nodes, dissection is recommended whenever possible, and adjuvant radiotherapy with or without systemic treatment is an excellent treatment interpretation.
Read Also: Symptoms of Skin Cancer on The Scalp
Prognosis and Recovery Tips
The majority of cases of stage 1 squamous cell carcinoma have a good prognosis and a high survival chance if diagnosed early. Early identification and treatment prevent the tumor from spreading and harming other regions of your body.
If your healthcare professional removes your cancer, it may recur in the future. Follow up with your healthcare professional to ensure you are cancer-free. When you’re outside, make sure to protect your skin from UV radiation.
Reference
- Combalia, A., & Carrera, C. (2020). Squamous Cell Carcinoma: An Update on Diagnosis and Treatment. Dermatology Practical & Conceptual, 10(3).
- Howell, J. Y., & Ramsey, M. L. (2019). Cancer, squamous cell of the skin. Retrieved from Nih.gov website.
- Remson, S. (2023, October 12). Stages of squamous cell carcinoma and prognosis. Retrieved January 17, 2025, from Medicalnewstoday.com website.
