Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Squamous Cell Carcinoma: What You Should Know

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common type of skin cancer, following basal cell carcinoma. While SCC is usually not life-threatening when caught early, it can be more aggressive than other skin cancers and has the potential to spread to other parts of the body if left untreated.

Understanding the signs, risk factors, and treatment options for SCC is essential to maintaining healthy skin and preventing long-term complications.

What Is Squamous Cell Carcinoma?

Squamous cell carcinoma originates in the squamous cells, which make up the middle and outer layers of the skin. These cells can become cancerous due to long-term damage from ultraviolet (UV) radiation—most commonly from sunlight or tanning beds. SCC can also develop on skin that has been injured or chronically inflamed.

What Does SCC Look Like?

SCC can present in a number of ways, making it important to be alert to any new or changing skin lesions. Common appearances include:

• A rough, scaly patch that may crust or bleed
• A firm, red bump or nodule
• An open sore that doesn’t heal or heals and returns
• A wart-like growth
• A sore or growth on a scar or chronic wound
  
• SCC most often appears on sun-exposed areas such as the face, ears, neck, scalp, hands, and arms. However, it can occur anywhere on the body, including the inside of the mouth or genital area.

Who Is at Risk?

Risk factors for developing squamous cell carcinoma include:

• Prolonged sun exposure or history of sunburns
• Use of tanning beds
• Fair skin, light-colored eyes, and red or blonde hair
• Age over 50
• A weakened immune system
• A history of precancerous skin conditions such as actinic keratosis
• Exposure to radiation, arsenic, or certain chemicals
• Chronic skin inflammation or non-healing wounds

Is Squamous Cell Carcinoma Dangerous?

Yes—especially if left untreated. While most SCCs can be successfully treated when found early, they have a greater chance of invading deeper layers of the skin and spreading (metastasizing) to lymph nodes and other organs compared to basal cell carcinoma.

Because of this, prompt diagnosis and treatment are critical.

Treatment Options for SCC

The treatment approach depends on the size, location, and depth of the tumor, as well as the patient's overall health. Common treatments include:

• Surgical Excision: The lesion is removed along with a margin of healthy tissue.
• Mohs Surgery: A tissue-sparing technique that removes the cancer layer by layer, examining each section under a microscope until no cancer remains. Typically reserved for aggressive tumor types or cosmetically sensitive areas.
• Curettage and Electrodessication: Used for smaller or superficial tumors; involves scraping the lesion and using electric current to destroy remaining cancer cells.
• Radiation Therapy: An option for tumors in difficult-to-treat locations or for patients who cannot undergo surgery.
• Topical Treatments: Used in select cases for very superficial lesions.
• Systemic Therapy: For advanced or metastatic SCC, targeted drugs or immunotherapy may be used.
• Immunotherapy: systemic treatment used to boost the immune system’s ability to target and destroy cancer cells that are not responding to surgery or radiation. Reserved for advanced, metastatic, or unresectable lesions. 
  

A board-certified dermatologist can help determine the best course of treatment based on your individual case.

How to Prevent Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Prevention starts with protecting your skin from UV exposure:

• Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) daily
• Wear protective clothing, hats, and sunglasses
• Avoid peak sun hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
• Skip indoor tanning entirely
• Perform regular self-skin exams and look for new or changing lesions
• Schedule annual skin checks with a dermatologist

When to See a Dermatologist

If you notice a sore that doesn't heal, a new growth, or a spot that looks different from the rest of your skin, it’s time to get checked. Early detection can make all the difference in the outcome of squamous cell carcinoma.