Intended for healthcare professionals
Review

A practical guide to squamous cell carcinoma and other non-melanoma skin cancers

Anusha Panthagani and Sandeep Varma

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common skin cancer after basal cell carcinoma (BCC).1 Like BCCs, SCC belongs to the group of non-melanoma skin cancers. SCCs are tumours arising from the epidermal keratinocytes or their appendages. These tumours can either enlarge locally or metastasise. 

As a result of under-reporting in cancer registries, accurate data for SCC in the UK are lacking. In 2014, 131,772 cases of non-melanoma skin cancers were registered in the UK.2 The incidence of SCC is increasing worldwide, including in the UK. A study that examined the rate of SCC between 2003 and 2012 in the East Norfolk and Waveney region showed a 2.8-fold increase over that period, and the authors felt that it was likely that the rate had increased in the rest of the UK as well.3

Dermatology in practice 2018; 24(2): 32–38
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Dermatology in practice was previously supported by Wyeth from 2008 to 2010, by Wyeth and Serono in 2007, by Wyeth and Shire from 2005 to 2006, by Medlock Medical in 2004 and by SSL International from 2001 to 2003.

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ISSN 0262-5504 (Print) ISSN 2049-8446 (Online)