Introduction Classification Demographics Causes Clinical features Complications Diagnosis Treatment Outcome
A keratinocyte cancer is a malignant neoplasm formed from keratinocytes, either from basal cell keratinocytes or squamous cell keratinocytes — the building blocks of the epidermis.
Keratinocyte cancers are cancers of the skin. They are classified as:
Actinic keratosis is a precursor to squamous cell carcinoma.
Keratinocyte cancers are the most common form of skin cancer and the most common form of cancer in humans. They are predominantly diagnosed in older white-skinned people who have worked outdoors or who have suffered from multiple episodes of sunburn.
They are particularly prevalent in Australia and New Zealand.
Keratinocyte cancers can also rarely affect children and people with skin of colour. See basal cell carcinoma in skin of colour and squamous cell carcinoma in skin of colour.
Keratinocyte cancers are primarily caused by exposure to ultraviolet radiation.
Other contributing causes include:
Keratinocyte cancers present as solitary, enlarging skin lesions.
They may be scaly or smooth, skin coloured or pigmented, intact or ulcerated, painless or painful.
Keratinocyte cancers are destructive and often cause ulceration and scarring.
Neglected cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma may metastasise; metastasis is rarely due to basal cell carcinoma.
Keratinocyte cancers are diagnosed clinically, often with the aid of dermoscopy, and the diagnosis is confirmed histologically after skin biopsy.
Primary keratinocyte cancers are mostly treated by excision biopsy. Mid-facial or difficult lesions may undergo Mohs micrographic surgery.
Superficial forms of skin cancer may also be treated by superficial surgical techniques such as curettage and cautery, by cryotherapy, and topically using 5-fluorouracil cream, imiquimod and others.
Occasionally, radiation therapy is used to treat keratinocyte cancer.
Nearly all keratinocyte cancers are cured by treatment. However, advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (and rarely, basal cell carcinoma) may prove ultimately fatal.
