The key difference between basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma is their spread. Squamous cell cancers spread more rapidly and frequently than basal cell cancers.
Basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas are both skin cancers. Basal cell carcinoma is a type of cancer that arises from the deepest actively dividing layer of cells while squamous cell carcinoma is a type of cancer that arises from differentiated cells in upper layers of the skin.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. Squamous Cell Carcinoma
3. Basal Cell Carcinoma
4. Similarities Between Basal Cell Carcinoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma
5. Side by Side Comparison – Basal Cell Carcinoma vs Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Tabular Form
6. Summary
What is Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Squamous cells epithelium is found on skin, anus, mouth, small airways, and a few other places. Rapidly dividing and renewing tissues are more susceptible to cancers. These cancers are, therefore, found in areas covered with squamous cells. These cancers are very visible. Squamous cell cancers present as ulcers with hard, raised edges. Furthermore, these cancers may begin as abnormal pigmentation, scar tissue, and simple wounds. Long-standing non-healing ulcers with rapidly dividing marginal cells may turn into squamous cell cancers. It is found commonly on the lips of smokers. These cancer cells rarely spread with blood and lymph flow. However, there may be extensive destruction of local tissues.
Figure 1: Biopsy of a highly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma of the mouth
Some people confuse squamous cell cancers with keratoacanthoma. Keratoacanthoma is a fast growing, benign, self-limiting raised lesion with keratin plugging. Examination of a wound edge biopsy under the microscope may show cancer cells. Following diagnosis, total local excision is mostly curative.
What is Basal Cell Carcinoma
Figure 2: Micrograph of a basal cell carcinoma
Basal cell cancers are commonly seen in sun-exposed areas of skin. They present as pearly, pale, smooth and raised patches. Head, neck, shoulders, and arms are the areas most affected. Moreover, there is telangiectasia (small dilated blood vessels within the tumor).
It is also possible to notice bleeding and crusting, which may give an impression of a non-healing ulcer. Furthermore, basal cell cancers are the least deadly of all skin cancers, and they are completely curable with proper treatment.
What are the Similarities between Basal Cell Carcinoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma?
- They can appear at any site on the skin, but evidence shows that there is a higher risk at sun-exposed areas.
- According to cancer invasiveness, spread, and general patient outcome, both types need supportive therapy, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, surgical excision for the cure and palliation.
- Both of them are epithelial cancers.
- Moreover, ultraviolet light, tobacco, human papillomavirus (HPV), ionizing radiation, low immunity, and congenital conditions like congenital melanocytic nevi syndrome are some of the known causes of skin cancer.
What is the difference between Basal Cell Carcinoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma?
Basal cell carcinoma is a type of cancer that arises from the deepest actively dividing layer of cells while squamous cell carcinoma is a type of cancer that arises from differentiated cells in upper layers of the skin. Therefore, this is the key difference between basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Moreover, squamous cell carcinoma is less common than basal cell cancers. Another difference between basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma is that squamous cell cancers spread more rapidly and frequently than basal cell cancers.
Summary – Basal Cell Carcinoma vs Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Basal cell carcinoma arises from the deepest actively dividing layer of cells while squamous cell cancers arise from differentiated cells in upper layers of the skin. In brief, the key difference between basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma is their spread. Squamous cell cancers spread more rapidly and frequently than basal cell cancers.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Oral cancer (1) squamous cell carcinoma histopathology” – KGH assumed – Own work assumed (based on copyright claims) (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Basal cell carcinoma – 2 – intermed mag” By Nephron – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
Further Readings:
1. Difference Between Basal Cell and Squamous Cell
1. Difference Between Adenocarcinoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma
2. Difference Between Carcinoma and Melanoma
3. Difference Between Pancreatic Cancer and Pancreatitis
4. Difference Between Breast Cancer and Fibroadenoma
5. Difference Between Invasive and Non Invasive Breast Cancer
6. Difference Between Cervical and Ovarian Cancer
7. Difference Between Colon Cancer and Colorectal Cancer
8. Difference Between Brain Tumor and Brain Cancer
9. Difference Between Bone Cancer and Leukemia
10. Difference Between Leukemia and Lymphoma