Skip to main content
Journal of the National Medical Association logoLink to Journal of the National Medical Association
. 1980 Dec;72(12):1196–1199.

Metastatic Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Skin

Hillard M Lazarus, Roger H Herzig, Richard Bornstein, Thomas C Laipply
PMCID: PMC2609730  PMID: 7310907

Abstract

Sunlight induced squamous cell carcinoma of the skin is common and produces low incidence of metastases. Non-actinic squamous cell carcinoma, however, possesses a metastatic potential even when well differentiated. A representative case of keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma arising in a lower extremity with development of widespread metastases is discussed. The prognostic factors associated with metastasizing de novo squamous cell carcinoma of the extremity include: site of origin, duration of lesion, degree of differentiation, sex of patient, and size of the primary lesion. Organs prone to metastasis include: regional lymph nodes, liver, lungs, and bone. As skin cancers of this variety metastasize, the clinician must recognize this potential when considering therapeutic strategy.

Full text

PDF
1196

Images in this article

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. ARONS M. S., LYNCH J. B., LEWIS S. R., BLOCKER T. G., Jr SCAR TISSUE CARCINOMA. I. A CLINICAL STUDY WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO BURN SCAR CARCINOMA. Ann Surg. 1965 Feb;161:170–188. doi: 10.1097/00000658-196502000-00003. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. BROWNE H. J., COVENTRY M. B., McDONALD J. R. Squamous carcinoma of the extremities. Proc Staff Meet Mayo Clin. 1953 Oct 21;28(21):590–598. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. Bendl B. J., Graham J. H. New concepts on the origin of squamous cell carcinomas of the skin: solar (senile) keratosis with squamous cell carcinoma--a clinicopathologic and histochemical study. Proc Natl Cancer Conf. 1970;6:471–488. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. Broders A. C. SQUAMOUS-CELL EPITHELIOMA OF THE SKIN: A STUDY OF 256 CASES. Ann Surg. 1921 Feb;73(2):141–160. doi: 10.1097/00000658-192102000-00001. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. CRUICKSHANK A. H., MCCONNELL E. M., MILLER D. G. MALIGNANCY IN SCARS, CHRONIC ULCERS, AND SINUSES. J Clin Pathol. 1963 Nov;16:573–580. doi: 10.1136/jcp.16.6.573. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. Camiel M. R., Aron B. S., Alexander L. L., Benninghoff D. L., Minkowitz S. Metastases to palm, sole, nailbed, nose, face and scalp from unsuspected carcinoma of the lung. Cancer. 1969 Jan;23(1):214–220. doi: 10.1002/1097-0142(196901)23:1<214::aid-cncr2820230128>3.0.co;2-u. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. DUNN J. E., Jr, LEVIN E. A., LINDEN G., HARZFELD L. SKIN CANCER AS A CAUSE OF DEATH. Calif Med. 1965 May;102:361–363. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. Epstein E., Epstein N. N., Bragg K., Linden G. Metastases from squamous cell carcinomas of the skin. Arch Dermatol. 1968 Mar;97(3):245–251. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  9. GLASS R. L., SPRATT J. S., Jr, PEREZ-MESA C. EPIDERMOID CARCINOMAS OF LOWER EXTREMITIES. AN ANALYSIS OF 35 CASES. Arch Surg. 1964 Dec;89:955–960. doi: 10.1001/archsurg.1964.01320060023005. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  10. Glass R. L., Spratt J. S., Jr, Perezmesa C. The fate of inadequately excised epidermoid carcinoma of the skin. Surg Gynecol Obstet. 1966 Feb;122(2):245–248. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  11. HEJNA W. F. SQUAMOUS-CELL CARCINOMA DEVELOPING IN THE CHRONIC DRAINING SINUSES OF OSTEOMYELITIS. Cancer. 1965 Jan;18:128–132. doi: 10.1002/1097-0142(196501)18:1<128::aid-cncr2820180118>3.0.co;2-y. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  12. Halliday J. P. Squamous carcinoma in a venous ulcer. Med J Aust. 1968 Mar 16;1(11):449–451. doi: 10.5694/j.1326-5377.1968.tb28634.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  13. JOHNSON L. L., KEMPSON R. L. EPIDERMOID CARCINOMA IN CHRONIC OSTEOMYELITIS: DIAGNOSTIC PROBLEMS AND MANAGEMENT. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1965 Jan;47:133–145. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  14. JOHNSON R. E., ACKERMAN L. V. Epidermoid carcinoma of the hand. Cancer. 1950 Jul;3(4):657–666. doi: 10.1002/1097-0142(1950)3:4<657::aid-cncr2820030411>3.0.co;2-m. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  15. Jensen T. S., Vetner M. O. Treatment of 443 cases of skin carcinoma with curettage and soft roentgen rays by the Ebbehoj method. Acta Radiol Ther Phys Biol. 1973 Oct;12(5):369–377. doi: 10.3109/02841867309130402. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  16. KATZ A. D., URBACH F., LILIENFELD A. M. The frequency and risk of metastases in squamous-cell carcinoma of the skin. Cancer. 1957 Nov-Dec;10(6):1162–1166. doi: 10.1002/1097-0142(195711/12)10:6<1162::aid-cncr2820100612>3.0.co;2-f. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  17. LAVEDAN J., ENNUYER A., SOENEN A. Fréquence des adénopathies secondaires aux cancers cutanés de la tête et du cou, en fonction de la localisation, de l'extension en surface et du degré d'infiltration. Rev Med Liege. 1950 Aug 1;5(15):415–418. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  18. Lund H. Z. How often does squamous cell carcinoma of the skin metastasize? Arch Dermatol. 1965 Dec;92(6):635–637. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  19. MODLIN J. J. Cancer of the skin; surgical treatment. Mo Med. 1954 May;51(5):364–367. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  20. MOHS F. E., LATHROP T. G. Modes of spread of cancer of skin. AMA Arch Derm Syphilol. 1952 Oct;66(4):427–439. doi: 10.1001/archderm.1952.01530290003001. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  21. Martin H., Strong E., Spiro R. H. Radiation-induced skin cancer of the head and neck. Cancer. 1970 Jan;25(1):61–71. doi: 10.1002/1097-0142(197001)25:1<61::aid-cncr2820250110>3.0.co;2-w. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  22. Swanbeck G., Hillström L. Analysis of etiological factors of squamous cell skin cancer of different locations. I. The lower limbs. Acta Derm Venereol. 1969;49(4):427–435. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  23. TOTTEN R. S., ANTYPAS P. G., DUPERTUIS S. M., GAISFORD J. C., WHITE W. L. Pre-existing roentgen-ray dermatitis in patients with skin cancer. Cancer. 1957 Sep-Oct;10(5):1024–1030. doi: 10.1002/1097-0142(195709/10)10:5<1024::aid-cncr2820100524>3.0.co;2-e. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  24. Taylor G. W., Nathanson I. T., Shaw D. T. EPIDERMOID CARCINOMA OF THE EXTREMITIES WITH REFERENCE TO LYMPH NODE INVOLVEMENT. Ann Surg. 1941 Feb;113(2):268–275. doi: 10.1097/00000658-194102000-00011. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  25. Yeh S., How S. W., Lin C. S. Arsenical cancer of skin. Histologic study with special reference to Bowen's disease. Cancer. 1968 Feb;21(2):312–339. doi: 10.1002/1097-0142(196802)21:2<312::aid-cncr2820210222>3.0.co;2-k. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from Journal of the National Medical Association are provided here courtesy of National Medical Association

RESOURCES