Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 5, 2026

Multi-photon Imaging of Tumor Cell Invasion in an Orthotopic Mouse Model of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Published on: July 25, 2011
Anatomic Features of Head and Neck Keratinocyte Cancer in Virginia
Justin Karlin1, Stephanie Engelhard2, Mark Russell3
1Division of Oculoplastic Surgery, UCLA Stein and Doheny Eye Institutes, Los Angeles, California.
Background:
Keratinocyte cancer (KC) patients benefit from early diagnosis. We describe here the anatomy of head/neck KCs to help guide screening efforts.
Objective:
To examine lesion frequency and anatomic distribution of head and neck KC.
Methods:
This retrospective cohort study of 4,770 consecutive pathology reports, 1998 to 2015, analyzes 5,463 head and neck KCs (3,664 basal cell carcinoma [BCC], 1,259 squamous cell carcinoma [SCC], and 540 SCC in situ) from 3,581 patients.
Results:
Basal cell carcinoma relative tumor density (RTD) was highest on the nose; SCC RTD was highest on the cheek. Basal cell carcinoma-to-SCC ratio was highest on eyelid and lowest on scalp. Temple, ear, and neck SCC predominated in men; nose and cheek SCC in women. Scalp, temple, and ear BCC showed male predominance, while cheek, nose, and chin predominated in women. Left-sided ear SCC in situ and BCC were more common than right-sided ear lesions.
Conclusion:
This study demonstrates gender- and laterality-specific differences that comport with patterns of solar exposure.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Cancers Originate from Somatic Mutations in a Single Cell
Cancers Originate from Somatic Mutations in a Single Cell
Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
Distinctive Features of Adult Stem Cells vs Cancer Stem Cells
Adult stem cells
Adult stem cells are tissue-specific; hence, they divide to develop the tissue from which they originate. One type of adult stem cell is the epithelial stem cell, which gives rise to the keratinocytes in the multiple layers of epithelial cells in the epidermis of the skin. Adult bone marrow has three distinct types of stem cells:...
Papillary Dermis
The dermis might be considered the "core" of the integumentary system, as distinct from the epidermis and hypodermis. It contains blood and lymph vessels, nerves, and other structures, such as hair follicles and sweat glands. The dermis is made of two layers of connective tissue that comprise an interconnected mesh of elastin and collagenous fibers, produced by fibroblasts.
Papillary Layer
The papillary layer is made of loose, areolar connective tissue, which means the collagen and...
Skin Cancer
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): BCC is the most common type of skin cancer, accounting for about 80% of cases. It typically develops in...

