Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin historical perspective

Historical Aspects

Reports of non-melanoma cancer dates back to biblical times. Percival Pott was likely the first person to report the malignant nature of squamous cell carcinoma in adolescent British chimney sweeps. That was the first occupation associated squamous cell carcinoma. Later additional associations were reported when there was incidence of squamous cell carcinoma in mule spinners, the so called mule spinner's disease. French surgeon Jean-Nicholas Marjolin, in 1828, first described this carcinoma arising in traumatic scars and subsequently squamous cell carcinoma associated with burns was termed Marjolin's ulcer.