squamous cell carcinoma

American  

noun

Pathology.

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

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squamous cell carcinoma Scientific  

/ skwā′məs,skwä′- /

1. 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.

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Etymology

Origin of squamous cell carcinoma

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

At first, the acting student thought the lesion was just a result of biting her tongue during an epileptic seizure, but doctors decided to biopsy the area and found stage two squamous cell carcinoma.

From BBC • Dec. 6, 2025

The effect was strongest for squamous cell carcinoma, one of the most common nonmelanoma skin cancers.

From Science Daily • Oct. 20, 2025

Campbell was diagnosed in October with squamous cell carcinoma, Michaela Campbell previously told People.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 12, 2023

Barry Wanser, a longtime Ganassi executive and strategist for Palou, was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma last month and had surgery earlier this week in Indianapolis.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 2, 2023

“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