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.

See Examples For:

squamous cell carcinoma

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

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

Kildee, 64, said he was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma that was detected very early by doctors and that he will have surgery in a few weeks to remove it.

From Washington Times ● Mar. 31, 2023

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