squamous cell

noun

|Updated on: 27 Jun 2018

Definition of squamous cell

: a cell of or derived from squamous epithelium

Recent Examples of squamous cell from the Web

According to Jaliman, people with XP have a high risk of developing every type of skin cancer — from basal cell and squamous cell skin cancers to melanoma.

— PEOPLE.com, "For Children with This Rare Life-Threatening Skin Condition, Sunlight Can Kill," 23 Mar. 2018
Basal cell, squamous cell, and Melanoma are the three major types of skin cancer.

— denise coffey, Courant Community, "DKH Holds Free Skin Cancer Screenings On Melanoma Monday," 15 May 2018
Early research has found that these may also increase your risk of squamous cell cancer if they are exposed to UV light.

— katheryn erickson, Glamour, "Sneaky Skin Cancer Risks to Know Now," 25 Apr. 2018
The study results apply only to patients whose lung cancer does not begin in the squamous cells (or surface lung cell layer) and who also lack certain genetic mutations.

— susan scutti, CNN, "Treatment combo nearly doubles survival time in lung cancer patients, study finds," 16 Apr. 2018
Three spots turned out to be basal cell skin cancer, and one squamous cell skin cancer — all of which were treated by removing the skin cells in an October surgery.

— dave quinn, PEOPLE.com, "Tamra Judge Reveals She Broke Her Foot as She Shops for a New Knee Scooter," 28 Feb. 2018
The squamous cells in the outer part of your epidermis are flat and constantly slough off so new ones can take their place.

— rochaun meadows-fernandez, SELF, "Why Are Black People Less Likely to Get Melanoma But More Likely to Die From It?," 2 Feb. 2018
In other words, a few high-powered doses of radiation might be a preferable way to treat basal and squamous cell cancers when surgery isn't an option.

— macaela mackenzie, Allure, "Short-Term Radiation Is Safe for Treating Basal and Squamous Cell Skin Cancers, Study Says," 6 Feb. 2018
This type of cancer is an uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells found among squamous cells, which make up most of your skin’s epidermis (i.e. the upper layer).

— korin miller, SELF, "Camille Grammer Just Had Her Second Cancer Diagnosis," 15 Dec. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'squamous cell.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.