These usually present as indurated opaque nodules with or without ulcerations. In chronic inflammatory or degenerative disease states such as osteomyelitis, lupus erythematosus, lichen planus, chronic stasis ulcers, burn scars, or radiation scars 2. A physical examination of a patient with squamous cell carcinoma should include a thorough examination of the areas of lymphatic drainage. The clinical presence of lymphadenopathy necessitates exclusion of metastatic disease. B. Diagnostic tests 1.
Histologic confirmation is required to establish the diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma.
The timing of biopsy and treatment requires physician discretion. In certain circumstances others obtain a sample for biopsy and proceed with a definitive therapeutic procedure. The usual type of squamous cell carcinoma. On histologic examination most squamous cell carcinomas consist of irregular masses of epidermal cells that proliferate into the dermis. Keratinization may occur in well-differentiated tumors.