The key difference between verrucous carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma is that verrucous carcinoma is a type of cancer that usually occurs in the mouth and occasionally on the genitals or feet, while squamous cell carcinoma is a type of cancer that usually occurs on sun-exposed areas such as the scalp, the back of the hands, ears, and lips.
Squamous cell carcinoma is a common type of skin cancer that is usually not life-threatening. It is characterized by abnormal, accelerated growth of squamous cells. There are different types of squamous cell carcinoma with different histological features. Verrucous carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are two types, and they are related to medical conditions. This is because verrucous carcinoma is a low-grade variant of squamous cell carcinoma. But both these conditions have different histological features.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Verrucous Carcinoma
3. What is Squamous Cell Carcinoma
4. Similarities – Verrucous Carcinoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma
5. Verrucous Carcinoma vs. Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Tabular Form
6. FAQ – Verrucous Carcinoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma
7. Summary – Verrucous Carcinoma vs. Squamous Cell Carcinoma
What is Verrucous Carcinoma?
Verrucous carcinoma is a rare and highly treatable form of squamous cell carcinoma. People can often develop this cancer in the mouth and, more rarely, on the genitals or feet. The risk factors for this type of cancer are chewing betel nuts, drinking alcohol, smoking, and using chewing tobacco. The signs and symptoms of verrucous carcinoma are slow-growing exophytic lesions covered by leukoplakic patches, invasive lesions that invade the bones, gradual destruction of the jaw bone, enlarged lymph nodes, lesions with painful multiple rugae-like folds, tender regional lymph nodes, and pain during mastication.
Figure 01: Verrucous Carcinoma
Verrucous carcinoma can be diagnosed through medical history, questionnaires, physical examination, biopsy, CT scan, colposcopy, MRI, and Pap smear. Furthermore, verrucous carcinoma is treated through radiation, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, cryotherapy, and laser therapy.
What is Squamous Cell Carcinoma?
Squamous cell carcinoma or cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common form of skin cancer. There are different types of squamous cell carcinoma with different histological features. The risk factors for squamous cell carcinoma are long-term sun exposure, pale complexion, 65 years or older, a weak immune system, and chemical exposure (cigarette or arsenic). The symptoms of squamous cell carcinoma may include a rough texture bump or growth that might crust over like a scab, a bump that is higher than the skin around it but sinks down in the middle, a wound or sore that won’t heal, and area of skin that is flat, scaly, reddish about 1 inch in size. Moreover, a mutation in the Tp53 gene usually causes squamous cell carcinoma.
Figure 02: Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma can be diagnosed through skin biopsy, physical examination, CT scan, MRI, and genetic testing. Furthermore, treatment options for squamous cell carcinoma may include cryosurgery, photodynamic therapy, curettage and electrodesiccation, excision, Mohs surgery, and systemic chemotherapy.
What are the Similarities Between Verrucous Carcinoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma?
- Verrucous carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are two associated medical conditions.
- Verrucous carcinoma is a low-grade, rare variant of squamous cell carcinoma.
- Both these cancers can be diagnosed through physical examination, biopsy, and imaging studies.
- They can be treated through chemotherapy.
What is the Difference Between Verrucous Carcinoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma?
Verrucous carcinoma is a type of cancer that usually occurs in the mouth and occasionally on the genitals or feet, while squamous cell carcinoma is a type of cancer that usually occurs on sun-exposed areas such as the scalp, the back of the hands, ears, and lips. Thus, this is the key difference between verrucous carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Furthermore, about 1 to 3 of every 1,000,000 persons in the U.S. have verrucous carcinoma yearly, while over 1 million people in the U.S. have squamous cell carcinoma yearly.
The infographic below presents the differences between verrucous carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma in tabular form for side by side comparison.
FAQ: Verrucous Carcinoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma
What is the treatment for squamous cell carcinoma?
Surgery is the most common treatment for squamous cell carcinoma.
What is the most common cause of squamous cell carcinoma?
The most common cause of squamous cell carcinoma is the damage occurring to skin by UV radiation.
What is another name for verrucous carcinoma?
Ackerman’s tumor is another name for verrucous carcinoma.
Summary – Verrucous Carcinoma vs. Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Verrucous carcinoma is a low-grade rare variant of squamous cell carcinoma. However, verrucous carcinoma usually develops in the gums and cheeks as well as on the genitals and feet. Squamous cell carcinoma usually develops in the skin, mouth, tongue, throat, face, lips, nose, ears, eyelids, scalp, stomach, hands, arms, legs anal cavity. This summarizes the difference between verrucous carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.
Reference:
1. “Verrucous Carcinoma: Diagnosis, Treatment, Symptoms & Pathology.” Cleveland Clinic.
2.“Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Skin.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Micrograph of penile verrucous carcinoma – 20x and 200x” By Prodromos Philippou, Christos Kitsios, Maria Miliatou, Christiana Poullou, and Pavlos Konstantinou – (2019). “Organ-Sparing Surgery for a Giant Verrucous Carcinoma of the Penile Shaft: A Case Report and Review of the Literature”. Case Reports in Urology 2019: 1–4. DOI:10.1155/2019/1537379. ISSN 2090-696X.& (CC BY 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Squamous cell carcinoma Case 113” By Dr. Yale Rosen Atlas of Pulmonary Pathology (CC BY-SA 2.0 DEED) via Flickr