Histological section showing
squamous cell carcinoma
in the cervix.
Cancer can begin and spread in many different types of cells found within the body. Squamous cell carcinoma starts in thin, flat cells that are found on the lining of various organs and on the surface of the skin. Since squamous cells can be found throughout the body, this form of cancer is commonly seen in cancers of the skin, anus, cervix, vagina, head and neck to name a few.
Treatment
Treatment for squamous cell carcinoma largely depends on the particular type/location of cancer and the stage at diagnosis, but could include one or more the following treatment options:
- Surgery
- Surgery to remove the tumor may be an option for squamous cell carcinomas. However, the method of surgery will depend on the location of the tumor.
- Radiation Therapy
- The use of high-energy rays – radiation therapy -- to kill cancerous cells is a standard anticancer treatment option. It can be given externally, which focuses on the area of the body where there is a large tumor, or it can be given internally, which occurs when the radiation is injected directly into the body. Radiation therapy can be used alone or in conjunction with surgery, chemotherapy and/or targeted therapy.
- Chemotherapy
- Chemotherapy works to kill the rapidly dividing cancer cells and can be given by vein or as a pill. Since chemotherapy is not selective in killing only cancer cells, it also depletes other fast-growing cells in the body, which causes several debilitating side effects including hair loss and nausea.
- Targeted Therapies
- These types of therapies are specifically designed to attack a particular gene found on the surface of cancer cells. Innovative research over the past decade has made it possible for these types of therapies to become available because science has yielded a better understanding of how certain genes stimulate the growth of certain cancers.
