Review of Hematology-Oncology Emergencies for Internal Medicine ...
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC or SqCC) is a form of skin cancer. Skin cancers fall into two groups, melanoma and non-melanoma; squamous cell carcinoma is a non-melanoma cancer. It is one of the most common cancers in humans and other animals.
Squamous cells are a type of epithelium cell forming the outermost layers of the skin and some organs in the body. Squamous cell carcinoma usually occurs on the skin, especially portions commonly exposed to the Sun, the face, ears, neck, hands, or arm. The main symptom is a growing bump that may have a rough, scaly surface and flat reddish patches. It may also occur inside the body wherever squamous cells are found, including the esophagus, urinary bladder, prostate, lung, vagina, and cervix, among others.
Despite the common name, squamous cell carcinomas arising in different body sites can show tremendous differences in their presenting signs and symptoms, natural history, prognosis, and response to treatment.
Though the use of these terms has been decreasing in the literature, SqCC is still sometimes referred to as "epidermoid carcinoma" and "squamous cell epithelium". During its earliest stages, it is sometimes known as "Bowen's disease".
What Is Squamous Cell Lung Cancer? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, And Prevention
Treatment options for squamous cell lung cancer will depend on different factors, such as the stage of the disease, the type, whether certain gene mutations fuel the cancer, and the overall health of the patient.
SurgeryIf the cancer has not spread outside of the lung, surgery may be an option. According to Harvard Health, there are three main types of lung cancer surgery:
Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells in the body. When it comes to squamous cell lung cancer, chemo may be given before or after surgery or to slow the cancer's growth and improve symptoms if the lung cancer has spread. Harvard Health points out that squamous cell lung cancer doesn't respond as well to chemotherapy and radiation as other types of tumors.
Radiation TherapyRadiation therapy uses beams of energy to destroy cancer cells in the body. According to Lungevity, external beam radiation, which is aimed at the lung cancer from outside the body, is the type most commonly used to treat squamous cell lung cancer.
Targeted TreatmentsTargeted treatments focus on certain gene changes in cancer cells. If a person's tumor contains specific abnormalities, these therapies may be effective. Harvard Health says that these gene mutations tend to occur less frequently in squamous cell lung cancers than in other types of lung cancers. Your doctor can test your tumor for specific gene defects that may respond to targeted therapies.
ImmunotherapyImmunotherapy involves training your body's own immune system to detect and destroy cancer cells. According to Lungevity, there are four FDA-approved immunotherapies for people with NSCLC, including squamous cell lung cancer. These drugs are called checkpoint inhibitors.
Research published in the New England Journal of Medicine in November 2018 found that the combination of the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab (Keytruda) with chemotherapy significantly prolonged survival in people with advanced squamous cell lung cancer.
Living Beyond Squamous Cell Carcinoma
At Memorial Sloan Kettering, we know that even after you've finished your cancer treatments, you may still need our help. We're committed to supporting you in every way we can — physically, emotionally, spiritually, and otherwise — for as long as you need us.
We've built a program designed for cancer survivors and their families. Our Adult Survivorship Program has many services for you and your loved ones, including support groups, follow-up programs, educational resources, and more.
Plus, our Resources for Life After Cancer program offers individual and family counseling, lectures and support groups, and practical guidance on employment and insurance issues, among other services. Visit the Adult Survivorship Program to learn more.
Counseling and Support
Sometimes, you and your loved ones just need someone to talk to, someone who's trained to help you make sense of your experience before, during, and after treatment for cancer.
Our Counseling Center offers both individual and group counseling sessions to help you and your family cope with your disease. These sessions can be a healthy, productive way to work through the stress and anxiety that are sometimes a part of treatment and recovery.
Learn more about how we can support your emotional well-being.
Integrative Medicine
Medical treatments are often the best way to treat your cancer. Their whole purpose is to get you healthy again. But at MSK, we know that complementary services can also help soothe and heal not only your body but also your mind and spirit.
Our Integrative Medicine Service can be a valuable part of your overall treatment plan. Programs we offer include massage, acupuncture, hypnotherapy, meditation, visualization, music therapy, and nutritional counseling. Formal classes include yoga, tai chi, and chair aerobics.
Learn more about the variety of complementary services we offer.
Older Patients
Cancer and its treatment are a challenge for anyone, regardless of age. But if you're over 65, you may face unique issues that only affect people in your age group. We're committed to providing cancer patients of all ages with the treatment, facilities, and support they need.
Your treatment team will include healthcare professionals who have the specialized training and experience to effectively treat older patients. Every aspect of your care — diagnosis, treatment, recovery, support — will be tailored to meet your particular needs.
Learn more about how we care for older patients.
Supportive Care and Pain Management
At Memorial Sloan Kettering, we focus on all aspects of comprehensive cancer care, not just treating the disease. Our specialists in supportive care can help you cope with the side effects of therapy. These include pain, nausea, and fatigue. We can also help with the emotional and spiritual needs that often come up during and after cancer treatment.
Learn more about how our Supportive Care Service can help you throughout the cancer experience.
If you are in pain during your treatments or even after they're over, we have pain specialists who can help. We will build a plan that makes sense for you and your needs. Our experts can work with your doctor and pharmacists to give you solutions for both acute physical pain, which comes on suddenly, as well as chronic pain, which can linger. Our goal is to keep you as comfortable as possible.
Learn more about how we can relieve your pain.
Review of Hematology-Oncology Emergencies for Internal Medicine ...
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