Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)
Description (development, effects, common names):
Lung cancer is a disease that arises due to the abnormal division of lung cells. Lung cancer can be broken
down into two types: small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Squamous cell
lung cancer (SCC), also know as squamous cell carcinoma or epidermoid carcinoma, is a non-small cell
lung cancer that accounts for approximately 30% of all lung cancer cases. According to Squamous Cell
Lung Cancer (2018, January 17), epidermoid carcinoma begins in the squamous cells which line the
inside of the airways of a lung.
Cell’s structure to function:
Squamous Cells
Squamous cells are part of the tissue that line the alveoli – air passages in the lungs. In this case, the
structure of the cell relates to its function as the squamous cells are thin and flat. Due to the structure of
the cells, oxygen can get to the blood in the capillaries and carbon dioxide can pass across it to be
removed from the body as stated by Mikesh (2017). The cells also serve as protection from the outside
environment and the closely packed layers enable this function to be carried out.
Symptoms (effects of them, interruptions to normal life due to treatment and/or detection):
No symptoms at first. Later on:
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a cough that doesn't go away
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coughing up blood or mucus
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shortness of breath or trouble breathing
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wheezing
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fatigue
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discomfort when swallowing
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chest pain
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fever
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hoarseness
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unexplained weight loss
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poor appetite
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high levels of calcium in the blood.
Diagnosis, treatments and/or methods of control:
Diagnosis:
Tan & Huq (2018) say the first tests of the diagnosis are:
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X-ray: to determine size and location of the mass or tumor
CT scan: to determine the stage of the cancer
After these, more tests, as described in Squamous cell carcinoma of the lung (2014), may be conducted
such as:
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Sputum sample
Biopsy
Bronchoscopy
Mediastinoscopy
Fine-needle aspiration
Thoracentesis
Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery
Bone scans and CT scans
References:
https://www.health.harvard.edu/cancer/squamous-cell-carcinoma-of-the-lung
https://lungevity.org/for-patients-caregivers/lung-cancer-101/types-of-lung-cancer/squamous-cell-lungcancer
https://www.livestrong.com/article/192286-what-are-the-functions-of-simple-squamous-epithelialcells/
https://www.myvmc.com/diseases/lung-cancer-squamous-cell-carcinoma-of-the-lung/
https://www.verywell.com/squamous-cell-carcinoma-of-the-lungs-in-depth-2249367