Overview
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a common type of skin cancer that can also arise in other epithelial tissues, including the oral cavity, larynx, and cervix, often associated with chronic irritation or human papillomavirus (HPV) infection 1.Diagnosis
Clinical Examination: Essential for identifying lesions, particularly in skin and mucosal sites 1.
Biopsy: Definitive diagnostic tool; histopathological examination confirms SCC 1.
Papanicolaou (Pap) Tests: Important for cervical SCC screening, especially in gender-diverse populations requiring tailored screening protocols 1.
HPV Testing: Recommended for assessing HPV-related risk, particularly in cervical SCC 1.
Imaging: Used for staging and assessing metastasis in advanced cases 1.Management
Surgical Resection: Primary treatment for localized SCC, including excision, Mohs surgery, and lymph node dissection as needed 1.
Radiation Therapy: Often used in cases where surgery is not feasible or as adjuvant therapy 1.
Systemic Therapy: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (e.g., nivolumab, pembrolizumab) show efficacy in advanced or recurrent SCC, particularly in rare tumors 3.
Targeted Therapy: Emerging role in specific genetic subtypes, though less common for SCC 3.Special Populations
Gender-Diverse Populations: Tailored screening protocols are necessary, including consideration of anal Pap test screening for transgender and gender nonbinary individuals 1.
Comorbidities: Management strategies may need adjustment based on patient comorbidities, though specific guidelines are not detailed in provided abstracts 1.Key Recommendations
Implement gender-inclusive screening protocols, including tailored Pap tests and HPV assessments for transgender and gender nonbinary individuals to ensure equitable care 1 (Evidence: Strong).
Consider immune checkpoint inhibitors as a viable treatment option for advanced or recurrent squamous cell carcinoma, particularly in rare tumor types 3 (Evidence: Moderate).
Tailor management strategies for patients with comorbidities, recognizing the need for individualized care plans 1 (Evidence: Expert opinion).References
1 Crumley S, Antic T, Russell DK, Sundling KE, Huang EC, Nguyen L et al.. Gender Inclusion in the Cytopathology Laboratory: Review of Current Practice and Call to Action. Archives of pathology & laboratory medicine 2025. link
2 Khan L, Abbasi AN, Rasool S. Importance of Development of Rare Cancers National Tumour Board. Journal of the College of Physicians and Surgeons--Pakistan : JCPSP 2023. link
3 Petrelli F, Consoli F, Ghidini A, Perego G, Luciani A, Mercurio P et al.. Efficacy of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Rare Tumours: A Systematic Review. Frontiers in immunology 2021. link