Squamous Cell Carcinoma Case 1 Squamous cell carcinoma
By Magnus Balslev Avnstorp, MD, Mike Mikkelsen Lorenzen and Simon Yde, MD
Pathophysiology
Squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) are derived from the squamous cells of the skin. Compared to basal cell carcinomas they present a more aggressive growth pattern with a higher potential for metastasis if left untreated. SCCs can be defined as either low risk or high risk. High risk SCC are defined by:
- Location in the face
- Depth of invasion more than 2 mm
- Tumor size more than 20 mm
- Perineural invasion
Photo examples
Treatment and surgical margins
- Minimum 5 mm at low risk tumor
- Minimum 10 mm at high risk tumor. (See earlier in the chapter for definition of high-risk tumor).
- Should be radically excised to fascia, or at least excised including thick subdermal tissue.
