DEFINITIONS
Squamous Cell Carcinoma is cancer that originates from the middle layer of the epidermis.
Bowen disease is a form of squamous cell carcinoma limited to the epidermis and has not infiltrate into the underlying tissue (dermis).
Exposed skin looked red-brown and scaly or scabbed and flat, sometimes resembling spots on psoriasis, dermatitis or fungal infection.
CAUSE
More than 90% of skin cancers grow in areas exposed to sunlight or other ultraviolet light.
This is believed to be the main cause of all types of skin cancer.
Other risk factors are:
• Genetic factors (skin cancer is more often found in the light-skinned, blue or green eyes and blond or red hair)
• Contamination by chemicals
• Excessive exposure by X-ray or other radiation
SYMPTOMS
Squamous cell carcinoma usually occurs on sun-exposed skin, but can also grow on any skin or in certain places (eg, tongue or lining of the mouth).
This cancer can grow in normal skin and in skin damaged by sun exposure (actinic keratosis).
Squamous cell carcinoma often begins as a scaly reddish area with surface scab that do not heal.
Then the tumor would grow stand out, sometimes the surface resembles a wart.
In the end the cancer becomes an open wound and grow into the tissue beneath.
DIAGNOSIS
Diagnosis based on symptoms.
To distinguish skin cancer from other diseases, performed a biopsy (taking samples of skin tissue for examination under a microscope).
TREATMENT
Squamous cell carcinoma and Bowen disease treated by lifting the tumor, either by kuretasi and elektrodesikasi or cut with a scalpel.
Actinic keratoses can turn into squamous cell carcinoma.
Actinic keratoses were destroyed with a solution of nitrogen or fluorouracil cream.
PREVENTION
Protect your skin from the sun by using a hat, long sleeved shirt, long pants or long skirts.
Sunlight is the most powerful in the daytime, so avoid sunlight during the day.
Use high-quality sunscreen (minimum SPF 15).
Apply sunscreen at least half an hour before sun exposure and repeat frequently.
Check your skin regularly, things that need to be suspected are:
• There is new growth that forms slowly healing ulcers or
• Change the color, size and structure of growth in the skin or the presence of inflammation, pain, itching or bleeding
• sores on the skin of asymmetric, irregular boundary edges, the color is more than 1 kind or a diameter greater than 6 mm.
