Surgery>>>>>The Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue
Question 10#

The primary risk factor for the development of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is:

A. UV exposure
B. Cigarette smoking
C. Chemical agents
D. Chronic, nonhealing wounds

Correct Answer is A

Comment:

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common skin cancer, accounting for approximately 100,000 cases each year and generally afflicting individuals of lighter skin color. The primary risk factor and driving force for the development of this common cancer is UV exposure; however, other risks include environmental factors such as chemical agents, physical agents (ionizing radiation), psoralen and UVA (PUVA), HPV-16 and -18 infections (immunosuppression), and smoking. Chronic nonhealing wounds, burn scars, and chronic dermatosis are other risk factors, and many darker skin individuals who develop sec often have a history of one of these risk factors. Heritable conditions such as xeroderma pigmentosum, epidermolysis bullosa, and oculocutaneous albinism are predisposing risk factors.