Squamous Cell Cancer Staging

Squamous Cell Cancer Staging

At Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA), we understand how important accurate information is when it is time to make decisions about your own health care. That's why your CTCA care team is committed to providing clear, concise information throughout the squamous cell carcinoma staging process so that you can make informed treatment choices.

Squamous Cell Cancer TNM Staging

The American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) TNM system is commonly used for staging squamous cell carcinoma. Three key factors are evaluated:

• T - Describes the size and spread of the primary tumor.
• N - Identifies the cancer spread to regional lymph nodes.
• M - Provides additional information regarding where in the body the cancer has spread (metastasized).

The number to the letter T, N and M is used to rate the factor. Higher numbers indicate a higher severity. Once this information is collected, doctors group these categories into stages, which are identified using the roman numerals 0-IV.

Common Stages of Squamous Cell Cancer

The common stages of squamous cell carcinoma are as follows:

• Stage 0 Squamous cell carcinoma - Squamous cell carcinoma in situ (SCC in situ) is sometimes called Bowen disease. This is the earliest of skin cancer stage. Only the top layer of the skin, called the epidermis, is affected.
• Stage I Squamous cell carcinoma - The tumor is no larger than 2 cm in diameter and has not spread beyond the epidermis. No muscles, bones, lymph nodes or distant organs are involved.
• Stage II Squamous cell carcinoma - The tumor has grown larger than 2 cm in diameter, but it has not grown beyond the epidermis. No muscles, bones, lymph nodes or distant organs are involved.
• Stage III Squamous cell carcinoma - The cancer has spread to the tissue beneath the skin and may now affect bones, cartilage or muscles. It is also possible that the cancer has spread to the nearby lymph nodes. No distant organs, such as the lung or brain, are involved.
• Stage IV Squamous cell carcinoma - The cancer has spread from local lymph nodes to the distant organs of the body. In this most advance stage, the epidermis and dermis layers of the skin are usually involved.

As with most cancers, early stage squamous cell skin cancer (carcinoma in situ) is easier to treat and usually has a better prognosis (outlook) than more advanced forms of the disease. Treatment for squamous cell carcinoma may affect patients differently and the results may vary. This is why your CTCA care team works closely with you to design a personalized treatment plan to meet your needs and wishes, at any stage.

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