Squamous cell carcinoma(SCC) in the lung is one form ofnon-small cell lung cancer.
Non-small cell lung cancers account for about 85% of lung cancers, many of them associated with smoking.
Of these, roughly 30% aresquamous cellcarcinomas.
Illustration by Julie Bang for Verywell Health
Squamous cell carcinoma begins in the tissues that line the air passages in the lungs.
It is also known as epidermoid carcinoma.
Most squamous cell carcinomas of the lungs are located centrally, usually in the largerbronchithat join thetracheato the lung.
Illustration by Julie Bang for Verywell Health
What Are Squamous Cell Subtypes?
These squamous cell subtypes were newly defined by the World Health Organization in 2015.
What Are the Stages of Squamous Cell Carcinoma?
What Are the Symptoms of Squamous Cell Carcinoma?
Common signs and symptomsof squamous cell carcinoma of the lung are not unlike those of other lung cancers.
Symptoms typically include:
But there’s also a difference that distinguishes this form of cancer from others.
Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common cause ofPancoast syndrome, also known as superior sulcus syndrome.
This can cause dehydration, constipation, and kidney problems.
It also can lead to mental confusion.
How Fast Does Squamous Cell Carcinoma Spread?
The amount of time it takes to spread will vary with the individual and the stage of the cancer.
Because squamous cell carcinoma is more likely to spread, it’s harder to treat.
What Are the Causes of Squamous Cell Carcinoma?
Squamous cell carcinomas are linked more strongly withsmokingthan other forms of non-small cell lung cancers.
While squamous cell carcinomas are intrinsically linked to smoking, other causes can contribute.
Secondhand Smoke
Secondhand smokepresents a health risk to non-smokers.
Radon
Radonexposure in the home is the second leading cause of lung cancer overall.
Radon gas can break down into tiny particles that lodge in the lungs and damage cells.
Occupational Exposures
Asbestos exposure contributes to squamous cell lung cancer risk.
Other occupational hazards that contribute to squamous cell lung cancer risk include heavy metals exposure.
The results have been mixed, with some studies suggesting a greater risk of adenocarcinoma lung cancers.
How Is Squamous Cell Carcinoma Diagnosed?
Squamous cell carcinoma of the lungs is often first suspected when abnormalities are seen on an X-ray.
How Is Squamous Cell Carcinoma Treated?
Oftentimes in the past, these different categories of treatment were used separately.
The use of platinum-based drugs is more likely to achieve complete remission.
Targeted Therapy
Targeted drugs are to treatEGFR mutationsin lung adenocarcinoma.
EGFR, or epidermal growth factor receptor, is a protein involved in driving the growth of a cancer.
When EGFR is thus bound, the signaling pathway which tells the cell to grow is halted.
This key in of treatment is most commonly prescribed for people with epidermal growth factor genetic aberrations.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapydrugs were first approved for the treatment of lung cancer in 2015.
These immunotherapy drugs include:
These treatments enhance the immune system’s ability to fight off cancer cells.
To understand how these drugs work, it may help to think of your immune system as a car.
The “brakes” are controlled by a protein called PD-1.
As noted above, for metastatic squamous cell carcinoma, the combination of Keytruda and chemotherapy greatly improved survival.
What Is the Prognosis of Squamous Cell Carcinoma?
Keep in mind that statistics describe the average course or survival.
Ultimately, each person is different.
It’s just 9% for metastatic cancers, with an overall rate of 28% across the stages.
This is the time to reach out and allow your friends and loved ones to support you.
Not all oncologists may be familiar with the latest studies.
It’s important to become anadvocate for your healthand learn about your disease and treatment options.
Zappa C, Mousa SA.Non-small cell lung cancer: current treatment and future advances.Transl Lung Cancer Res.
2020 Apr;142:13-19. doi:10.1016/j.lungcan.2020.01.020.
National Cancer Institute.Non-small cell lung cancer treatment (PDQ)patient version.
American Cancer Society.Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Stages.
American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of lung cancer.
Harvard Health.Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Lung.
2021 Mar;22(3):464-475. doi:10.3348/kjr.2020.0592.
Yale Medicine.Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.
Sabbula BR, Gasalberti DP, Anjum F.Squamous Cell Lung Cancer.
In: StatPearls [Internet].
Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan. PMID: 33232091.
2019 Jul 23;48(1):33. doi: 10.1186/s40463-019-0357-4.
Environmental Protection Agency.Health risk of radon.
2018 Oct 31;15(11):2413. doi:10.3390/ijerph15112413.
2022 Mar 31;9:835026. doi:10.3389/fmed.2022.835026.
2022 Aug 17;2022:4254195. doi: 10.1155/2022/4254195
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Lung cancer risk factors.
2017 Dec 1;109(12):djx075.
LUNGevity.Squamous cell lung cancer.
2023 Apr 10;41(11):1999-2006. doi:10.1200/JCO.22.01990.
2015;(8):CD006849.
2020 Feb 25;11:331. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2020.00331.
2016;9(Spec Feature):119-22.
2021;37:100940. doi:10.1016/j.eclinm.2021.100940
American Cancer Society.Immunotherapy for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.
National Cancer Institute.FDA approves first immunotherapy treatment for lung cancer.
2016;5(1):39-50. doi:10.3978/j.issn.2218-6751.2016.01.03
American Cancer Society.Lung Cancer Survival Rates.
2022 Apr;11(4):710-724. doi:10.21037/tcr-21-1986.
