squamous cell carcinoma

American

noun

Pathology.

a carcinoma that arises from squamous epithelium in the skin and sometimes in the mucous membranes.

squamous cell carcinoma Scientific

/ skwā′məs,skwä′- /

Any of various carcinomas that arise from a kind of flat, scaly epithelial cell, found in organs such as the skin, cervix, oral cavity, larynx, and vulva. Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin is associated with sun exposure.

Etymology

Origin of squamous cell carcinoma

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The drug, INBRX-106, showed positive results in a Phase 2 trial for patients with metastatic or unresectable recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

From Barron's • May 11, 2026

The Mayo Clinic says squamous cell carcinoma is a form of cancer that begins as a growth on the cells of the skin and that an HPV infection is among the risk factors.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 2, 2025

SerpinB3 -- also known as squamous cell carcinoma antigen-1 -- was first identified in cervical cancer tissue in 1977.

From Science Daily • Nov. 17, 2025

“Basal cell carcinoma lesions do not tend to ‘spread’ or metastasize, as some more serious skin cancers such as melanoma or squamous cell carcinoma tend to do,” he wrote.

From Washington Times • Mar. 3, 2023

Her cancer, metaplastic squamous cell carcinoma, accounts for less than 2% of cases.

From BBC • Oct. 13, 2022

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023