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October 20, 1989, Vol 262, No. 15 >
ARTICLE | October 20, 1989

The Epidemic of Squamous Cell Carcinoma FREE

Martin A. Weinstock, MD, PhD
JAMA. 1989;262(15):2138-2140. doi:10.1001/jama.1989.03430150106035
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References

Human skin takes a lot of abuse. It is our largest organ and the major barrier between our other organs and the natural and man-made hazards that surround us. These hazards may lead to cancer. Among cancers of the keratinocyte (the predominant cell of skin) in whites, basal cell carcinoma is the more common, yet squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) metastasizes more frequently and causes more deaths.1-3

Although UV radiation is the most important etiologic factor, other factors are known to cause some cases of cutaneous SCC. The first documentation of chemical carcinogenesis was Percivall Pott's description, in 1775, of SCC of the scrotum induced by chimney soot.4 Certain other hydrocarbons derived from coal and oils cause SCC.5 Arsenic in well water was shown to cause SCC in the classic studies from Taiwan,6 and exposure to arsenic in medicinals (such as Fowler's solution, Donovan's solution, and "Asiatic

REFERENCES

1 +
Scotto J, Fears TR, Fraumeni JF. Incidence of Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer in the United States . Washington, DC: Public Health Service; 1983;. National Institutes of Health publication 83-2433.
2 +
Dunn JE, Levin EA, Linden G, Harzfeld L.  Skin cancer as a cause of death . Calif Med. 1965;;102:361-363.
3 +
Gorden D, Silverstone H.  Deaths from skin cancer in Queensland, Australia . In: Urback F, ed. The Biologic Effects of Ultraviolet Radiation . New York, NY: Pergamon Press; 1969;:625-634.
4 +
Potter M.  Percivall Pott's contribution to cancer research . NCI Monogr. 1963;;10:1-6.
5 +
Hueper WC.  Chemically induced skin cancer in man . NCI Monogr. 1963;;10:377-391.
6 +
Tseng WP.  Effects and dose-response relationships of skin cancer and blackfoot disease with arsenic . Environ Health Perspect. 1977;;19:109-119.
7 +
Neubauer O.  Arsenical cancer: a review . Br J Cancer. 1947;;1:192-251.
8 +
Traenkle HL.  X-ray induced skin cancer in man . NCI Monogr. 1963;;10:423-432.
9 +
Sadamori N, Mine M, Hori M.  Skin cancer among atom bomb survivors . Lancet. 1989;;1:1267.
10 +
Gupta AK, Cardella CJ, Haberman HF.  Cutaneous malignant neoplasms in patients with renal transplants . Arch Dermatol. 1986;;122:1288-1293.
11 +
Mory RL, Eliezri YD, Nuovo GJ, Zitelli JA, Bennett RG, Silverstein S.  Human papillomavirus type 16 DNA in periungual squamous cell carcinomas . JAMA . 1989;;261:2669-2673.
12 +
Syrjanen KJ.  Human papillomavirus (HPV) infections and their associations with squamous cell neoplasia . Arch Geschwulstforsch. 1987;;57:417-443.
13 +
Cort DF, Abdel-Aziza-HM.  Epithelioma arising in porokeratosis of Mabelli . Br J Plast Surg. 1972;;25:318-328.
14 +
Hejna WF.  Squamous cell carcinoma developing in the chronic draining sinuses of osteomyelitis . Cancer. 1965;;18:128-132.
15 +
Mosberg DA, Crane RT, Tami TA, Parker GS.  Burn scar carcinoma of the head and neck . Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1988;;114:1038-1040.
16 +
Peterkin GAG.  Malignant change in erythema ab igne . Br Med J. 1955;;2:1599-1602.
17 +
Stone JL, Reizner G, Scotto J, Elperm DJ, Farmer ER, Pabo R.  Incidence of non-melanoma skin cancer in Kawai during 1983 . Hawaii Med J. 1986;;45:281-286.
18 +
Giles G, Marks R, Foley P.  Incidence of non-melanocytic skin cancer treated in Australia . Br Med J. 1988;;296:13-17.
19 +
Pearl OK, Scott EL.  The anatomic distribution of skin cancers . Int J Epidemiol. 1986;;15:502-506.
20 +
Urbach F.  Geographic pathology of skin cancer . In: Urbach F, ed. Biological Effects of Ultraviolet Radiation . New York, NY: Permagon Press; 1969;:635-650.
21 +
Aubry F, MacGibbon B.  Risk factors of squamous cell carcinoma of the skin . Cancer. 1985;;55:907-911.
22 +
Vitaliano PP, Urbach F.  The relative importance of risk factors in non-melanoma carcinoma . Arch Dermatol. 1980;;116:454-456.
23 +
Okoro AN.  Albinism in Nigeria: a clinical and social study . Br J Dermatol. 1975;;92:485-492.
24 +
Kraemer KM, Lee MM, Scotto J.  Xeroderma pigmentosum: cutaneous, ocular and neurologic abnormalities in 830 published cases . Arch Dermatol. 1987;;123:241-250.
25 +
Stern RS, Lange R, and members of the Photochemotherapy Follow-up Study.  Non-melanoma skin cancer occurring in patients treated with PUVA five to ten years after first treatment . J Invest Dermatol. 1988;;91:120-124.
26 +
Fry RJM, Ley RD.  Ultraviolet radiation-induced skin cancer . Carcinogen Compr Surv. 1989;;11:321-337.
27 +
Weinstock MA, Colditz GA, Willett WC, et al.  Nonfamilial cutaneous melanoma incidence in women associated with sun exposure before 20 years of age . Pediatrics . 1989;;84:199-204.
28 +
Taylor HK, West SK, Rosenthal FS, et al.  Effect of ultraviolet radiation on cataract formation . N Engl J Med. 1988;;319:1429-1433.
29 +
Kligman LM.  Photoaging: manifestations, prevention, and treatment . Clin Geriatr Med. 1989;;5:235-251.
30 +
Glass AG, Hoover RN.  The emerging epidemic of melanoma and squamous cell skin cancer . JAMA. 1989;;262:2097-2100.
31 +
Lee JAH.  Melanoma and exposure to sunlight . Epidemiol Rev. 1982;;4:110-136.
32 +
Levi F, laVecchia C, Te V-C, Mezzanothe G.  Descriptive epidemiology of skin cancer in the Swiss canton of Vaud . Int J Cancer. 1988;;42:811-816.
33 +
Lynch FW, Seidman H, Hammond EC.  Incidence of cutaneous cancer in Minnesota . Cancer. 1970;;25:83-91.
34 +
McKay FW, Hanson MR, Miller RW. Cancer Mortality in the United States: 1950-1977 . Washington, DC: Public Health Service; 1982;. National Institutes of Health publication 82-2435.
35 +
National Center for Health Statistics. Vital Statistics of the United States . Washington, DC: Public Health Service; 1988;,1987, 1986,1985. Dept of Health and Human Services publications 88-1122, 88-1101, 87-1122, 87-1101, 86-1122, 86-1101, and 85-1101.
36 +
Percy C, Stanek E, Gloeckler L.  Accuracy of cancer death certificates and its effect on cancer mortality statistics . Am J Public Health. 1981;;71:242-250.
37 +
Stern RS, Weinstein MC, Baker SG.  Risk reduction for nonmelanoma skin cancer with childhood sunscreen use . Arch Dermatol. 1986;;122:537-545.
38 +
Kraemer KM, DiGiovanna JJ, Moshell AN, Tarone RE, Peck GL.  Prevention of skin cancer in xeroderma pigmentosum with the use of oral isotretinoin . N Engl J Med. 1988;;318:1633-1637.
39 +
Weiss JS, Ellis CN, Headington JT, Tincoff T, Hamilton TA, Voorhees JJ.  Topical tretinoin improves photoaged skin: a double-blind vehicle-controlled study . JAMA . 1988;;259:527-532.
40 +
Marks R, Foley P, Goodman G, Hage BM, Selwood TS.  Spontaneous remission of solar keratoses . Br J Dermatol. 1986;;115:649-655.
41 +
Marks R, Kennie G, Selwood TS.  Malignant transformation of solar keratoses to squamous cell carcinoma . Lancet . 1988;;1:795-797.

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Country-Specific Mortality and Growth Failure in Infancy and Yound Children and Association With Material Stature

Use interactive graphics and maps to view and sort country-specific infant and early dhildhood mortality and growth failure data and their association with maternal

1 +
Scotto J, Fears TR, Fraumeni JF. Incidence of Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer in the United States . Washington, DC: Public Health Service; 1983;. National Institutes of Health publication 83-2433.
2 +
Dunn JE, Levin EA, Linden G, Harzfeld L.  Skin cancer as a cause of death . Calif Med. 1965;;102:361-363.
3 +
Gorden D, Silverstone H.  Deaths from skin cancer in Queensland, Australia . In: Urback F, ed. The Biologic Effects of Ultraviolet Radiation . New York, NY: Pergamon Press; 1969;:625-634.
4 +
Potter M.  Percivall Pott's contribution to cancer research . NCI Monogr. 1963;;10:1-6.
5 +
Hueper WC.  Chemically induced skin cancer in man . NCI Monogr. 1963;;10:377-391.
6 +
Tseng WP.  Effects and dose-response relationships of skin cancer and blackfoot disease with arsenic . Environ Health Perspect. 1977;;19:109-119.
7 +
Neubauer O.  Arsenical cancer: a review . Br J Cancer. 1947;;1:192-251.
8 +
Traenkle HL.  X-ray induced skin cancer in man . NCI Monogr. 1963;;10:423-432.
9 +
Sadamori N, Mine M, Hori M.  Skin cancer among atom bomb survivors . Lancet. 1989;;1:1267.
10 +
Gupta AK, Cardella CJ, Haberman HF.  Cutaneous malignant neoplasms in patients with renal transplants . Arch Dermatol. 1986;;122:1288-1293.
11 +
Mory RL, Eliezri YD, Nuovo GJ, Zitelli JA, Bennett RG, Silverstein S.  Human papillomavirus type 16 DNA in periungual squamous cell carcinomas . JAMA . 1989;;261:2669-2673.
12 +
Syrjanen KJ.  Human papillomavirus (HPV) infections and their associations with squamous cell neoplasia . Arch Geschwulstforsch. 1987;;57:417-443.
13 +
Cort DF, Abdel-Aziza-HM.  Epithelioma arising in porokeratosis of Mabelli . Br J Plast Surg. 1972;;25:318-328.
14 +
Hejna WF.  Squamous cell carcinoma developing in the chronic draining sinuses of osteomyelitis . Cancer. 1965;;18:128-132.
15 +
Mosberg DA, Crane RT, Tami TA, Parker GS.  Burn scar carcinoma of the head and neck . Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1988;;114:1038-1040.
16 +
Peterkin GAG.  Malignant change in erythema ab igne . Br Med J. 1955;;2:1599-1602.
17 +
Stone JL, Reizner G, Scotto J, Elperm DJ, Farmer ER, Pabo R.  Incidence of non-melanoma skin cancer in Kawai during 1983 . Hawaii Med J. 1986;;45:281-286.
18 +
Giles G, Marks R, Foley P.  Incidence of non-melanocytic skin cancer treated in Australia . Br Med J. 1988;;296:13-17.
19 +
Pearl OK, Scott EL.  The anatomic distribution of skin cancers . Int J Epidemiol. 1986;;15:502-506.
20 +
Urbach F.  Geographic pathology of skin cancer . In: Urbach F, ed. Biological Effects of Ultraviolet Radiation . New York, NY: Permagon Press; 1969;:635-650.
21 +
Aubry F, MacGibbon B.  Risk factors of squamous cell carcinoma of the skin . Cancer. 1985;;55:907-911.
22 +
Vitaliano PP, Urbach F.  The relative importance of risk factors in non-melanoma carcinoma . Arch Dermatol. 1980;;116:454-456.
23 +
Okoro AN.  Albinism in Nigeria: a clinical and social study . Br J Dermatol. 1975;;92:485-492.
24 +
Kraemer KM, Lee MM, Scotto J.  Xeroderma pigmentosum: cutaneous, ocular and neurologic abnormalities in 830 published cases . Arch Dermatol. 1987;;123:241-250.
25 +
Stern RS, Lange R, and members of the Photochemotherapy Follow-up Study.  Non-melanoma skin cancer occurring in patients treated with PUVA five to ten years after first treatment . J Invest Dermatol. 1988;;91:120-124.
26 +
Fry RJM, Ley RD.  Ultraviolet radiation-induced skin cancer . Carcinogen Compr Surv. 1989;;11:321-337.
27 +
Weinstock MA, Colditz GA, Willett WC, et al.  Nonfamilial cutaneous melanoma incidence in women associated with sun exposure before 20 years of age . Pediatrics . 1989;;84:199-204.
28 +
Taylor HK, West SK, Rosenthal FS, et al.  Effect of ultraviolet radiation on cataract formation . N Engl J Med. 1988;;319:1429-1433.
29 +
Kligman LM.  Photoaging: manifestations, prevention, and treatment . Clin Geriatr Med. 1989;;5:235-251.
30 +
Glass AG, Hoover RN.  The emerging epidemic of melanoma and squamous cell skin cancer . JAMA. 1989;;262:2097-2100.
31 +
Lee JAH.  Melanoma and exposure to sunlight . Epidemiol Rev. 1982;;4:110-136.
32 +
Levi F, laVecchia C, Te V-C, Mezzanothe G.  Descriptive epidemiology of skin cancer in the Swiss canton of Vaud . Int J Cancer. 1988;;42:811-816.
33 +
Lynch FW, Seidman H, Hammond EC.  Incidence of cutaneous cancer in Minnesota . Cancer. 1970;;25:83-91.
34 +
McKay FW, Hanson MR, Miller RW. Cancer Mortality in the United States: 1950-1977 . Washington, DC: Public Health Service; 1982;. National Institutes of Health publication 82-2435.
35 +
National Center for Health Statistics. Vital Statistics of the United States . Washington, DC: Public Health Service; 1988;,1987, 1986,1985. Dept of Health and Human Services publications 88-1122, 88-1101, 87-1122, 87-1101, 86-1122, 86-1101, and 85-1101.
36 +
Percy C, Stanek E, Gloeckler L.  Accuracy of cancer death certificates and its effect on cancer mortality statistics . Am J Public Health. 1981;;71:242-250.
37 +
Stern RS, Weinstein MC, Baker SG.  Risk reduction for nonmelanoma skin cancer with childhood sunscreen use . Arch Dermatol. 1986;;122:537-545.
38 +
Kraemer KM, DiGiovanna JJ, Moshell AN, Tarone RE, Peck GL.  Prevention of skin cancer in xeroderma pigmentosum with the use of oral isotretinoin . N Engl J Med. 1988;;318:1633-1637.
39 +
Weiss JS, Ellis CN, Headington JT, Tincoff T, Hamilton TA, Voorhees JJ.  Topical tretinoin improves photoaged skin: a double-blind vehicle-controlled study . JAMA . 1988;;259:527-532.
40 +
Marks R, Foley P, Goodman G, Hage BM, Selwood TS.  Spontaneous remission of solar keratoses . Br J Dermatol. 1986;;115:649-655.
41 +
Marks R, Kennie G, Selwood TS.  Malignant transformation of solar keratoses to squamous cell carcinoma . Lancet . 1988;;1:795-797.

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