epidermoid carcinoma

(EH-pih-DUR-moyd KAR-sih-NOH-muh) Cancer that begins in squamous cells (thin, flat cells that look like fish scales). Squamous cells are found in the tissue that forms the surface of the skin, the lining of the hollow organs of the body, and the lining of the respiratory and digestive tracts. Also called squamous cell carcinoma.