Overview
Squamous cell carcinoma of the colon is a very rare type of colon cancer. Most colon cancers are a type called adenocarcinoma, which starts in gland cells that line the colon. Squamous cell carcinoma, by contrast, starts in flat, skin-like cells that are only rarely found in the lining of the colon. Because of this, it is considered an unusual and uncommon form of colorectal cancer. It may also be referred to as colonic squamous cell carcinoma or primary squamous cell carcinoma of the colon. This cancer can develop in any part of the large intestine, including the cecum, ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon, sigmoid colon, and other sections. Like other colon cancers, it can grow through the bowel wall and spread to nearby lymph nodes or distant organs such as the liver or lungs. Common symptoms include changes in bowel habits, blood in the stool, abdominal pain, unintended weight loss, and fatigue. Treatment typically involves surgery to remove the tumor, often combined with chemotherapy and sometimes radiation therapy. Because this cancer type is so rare, treatment is largely guided by approaches used for more common colon cancers and for squamous cell carcinomas found in other parts of the body. Early detection generally leads to better outcomes, but the rarity of this disease means that awareness and timely diagnosis can be challenging.
Key symptoms:
Blood in the stool or rectal bleedingChanges in bowel habits such as diarrhea or constipation lasting more than a few weeksAbdominal pain, cramping, or discomfortA feeling that the bowel does not empty completelyUnintended weight lossPersistent fatigue or weaknessNarrow or ribbon-like stoolsNausea or vomitingBloating or gasA lump or mass that can sometimes be felt in the abdomen
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Adult
Begins in adulthood (age 18 or older)
FDA & Trial Timeline
6 eventsRadiopharm Theranostics, Ltd — PHASE1
One-carbon Therapeutics AB — PHASE1, PHASE2
Shanghai Bao Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. — PHASE1
TiumBio Co., Ltd. — PHASE1, PHASE2
Comprehensive Support Project for Oncology Research — NA
Sichuan Baili Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. — PHASE1
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Squamous cell carcinoma of the colon.
View clinical trials →Clinical Trials
View all trials with filters →No actively recruiting trials found for Squamous cell carcinoma of the colon at this time.
New trials open frequently. Follow this disease to get notified.
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Financial Resources
5 resourcesStivarga
Bayer
Colon Cancer
OXALIPLATIN
Sanofi
Colon Cancer
ERBITUX
Eli Lilly
Colon Cancer
Avastin
Genentech
Colon Cancer
ZYNYZ
Incyte
Colon Cancer
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Squamous cell carcinoma of the colon.
Community
No community posts yet. Be the first to share your experience with Squamous cell carcinoma of the colon.
Start the conversation →Latest news about Squamous cell carcinoma of the colon
Disease timeline:
New recruiting trial: Study of TU2218 in Combination With KEYTRUDA®(Pembrolizumab) in Patients With Advanced Solid Tumors
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Squamous cell carcinoma of the colon
New recruiting trial: Phase 1/2 Study to Evaluate TH9619 in the Treatment of Advanced Solid Tumors
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Squamous cell carcinoma of the colon
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.What stage is my cancer, and what does that mean for my treatment options?,Has the cancer definitely started in my colon, and not spread from somewhere else in my body?,Should I have genetic testing to see if I have a hereditary condition that caused this cancer?,What are the goals of my treatment — is it aimed at curing the cancer or controlling it?,Are there any clinical trials I might be eligible for given how rare this cancer type is?,What side effects should I expect from surgery and chemotherapy, and how can they be managed?,How often will I need follow-up appointments and scans after treatment?
Common questions about Squamous cell carcinoma of the colon
What is Squamous cell carcinoma of the colon?
Squamous cell carcinoma of the colon is a very rare type of colon cancer. Most colon cancers are a type called adenocarcinoma, which starts in gland cells that line the colon. Squamous cell carcinoma, by contrast, starts in flat, skin-like cells that are only rarely found in the lining of the colon. Because of this, it is considered an unusual and uncommon form of colorectal cancer. It may also be referred to as colonic squamous cell carcinoma or primary squamous cell carcinoma of the colon. This cancer can develop in any part of the large intestine, including the cecum, ascending colon, tran
How is Squamous cell carcinoma of the colon inherited?
Squamous cell carcinoma of the colon follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Squamous cell carcinoma of the colon typically begin?
Typical onset of Squamous cell carcinoma of the colon is adult. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
Which specialists treat Squamous cell carcinoma of the colon?
25 specialists and care centers treating Squamous cell carcinoma of the colon are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.
What treatment and support options exist for Squamous cell carcinoma of the colon?
5 patient support programs are currently tracked on UniteRare for Squamous cell carcinoma of the colon. See the treatments and support programs sections for copay assistance, eligibility, and contact details.