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Skin Cancer Treatment (PDQ®)     
Last Modified: 01/04/2008
Health Professional Version
Cellular Classification

Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are both of epithelial origin. They are usually diagnosed on the basis of routine histopathology.[1] Squamous cell carcinoma is graded 1 to 4 based on the proportion of differentiating cells present, the degree of atypicality of tumor cells, and the depth of tumor penetration.[2] Apocrine carcinomas, which are rare, are associated with an indolent course and usually arise in the axilla.[3]

References

  1. Lever WF, Schaumburg-Lever G: Histopathology of the Skin. New York: JB Lippincott, 6th ed., 1983. 

  2. Immerman SC, Scanlon EF, Christ M, et al.: Recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the skin. Cancer 51 (8): 1537-40, 1983.  [PUBMED Abstract]

  3. Paties C, Taccagni GL, Papotti M, et al.: Apocrine carcinoma of the skin. A clinicopathologic, immunocytochemical, and ultrastructural study. Cancer 71 (2): 375-81, 1993.  [PUBMED Abstract]