What is Squamous Cell Carcinoma and What Does It Look Like?
Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) is the second most commonly diagnosed form of skin cancer. It appears on the skin in a variety of sizes and shapes, such as dome-shaped growths that may bleed, bumps that feel crusty, flat patches that are red and rough, and sores that won’t heal.
Repeated sun exposure is a common cause of SCC, especially on the head, face, neck, arms, legs, and hands. SCC can also show up inside the mouth or on the genitalia, and can be associated with the human papillomavirus (HPV). It’s also possible for SCC to start as growths known as actinic keratosis (AK). Both SCC and AKs are dry, scaly, and rough-textured.
Who Gets Squamous Cell Carcinoma?
Everyone can get SCC, but it is more common with those who:
- Have lighter hair, skin, and eyes (fair skin, red or blond hair, blue or green eyes).
- Use indoor tanning devices.
- Spend a lot of time outdoors for work or leisure without sunscreen or covering with clothing.
- Are exposed to cancer-causing chemicals (coal tar, some insecticides, or herbicides).
- Use tobacco products.
- Have been diagnosed with AK.
- Have an ulcer or sore on your skin for many months or years.
- Have received an organ transplant.
- Have been infected with HPV in the anogenital area.
- Have received many PUVA light treatments.
- Suffer from xeroderma, pigmentosum, epidermolysis bullosa, or albinism.
- Take medications that increase sun sensitivity.
Reducing Your Risk
If you’ve been diagnosed with SCC, you’re also at risk for developing other skin cancers, such as melanoma. To prevent skin cancer development:
- Dress appropriately in the sun. Wear a lightweight and long-sleeved shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses.
- Use shade. The sun is strongest between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
- Use sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.
- Reapply sunscreen every two hours or so, even on cloudy days, especially after swimming or sweating.
- Be cautious around snow, sand, and water. These reflect and intensify UV rays, increasing the risk of sunburn.
- Avoid tanning beds. Just one indoor tanning session can increase your risk for skin cancer.
- Keep all your dermatologist appointments. When detected early, skin cancer is highly treatable.
- Perform self-exams on your skin. Check yourself regularly for any growths or spots that seem questionable, and keep track of moles and freckles.
Diagnosing and Treating Squamous Cell Carcinoma
When found early, SCC is very treatable. Diagnosing is typically done with a skin biopsy. A skin tissue sample (usually part or all of the suspected BCC) will be taken and microscopically examined to confirm the presence of cancer cells.
Treatment depends on where the SCC is located, its size, and your overall health. Treatment options include:
- Excision involves surgically removing the melanoma, as well as some of the normal-looking skin around the SCC. The removed tissue is then examined microscopically to determine if all cancer cells have been removed.
- Mohs surgery is the most successful technique for eliminating skin cancer, with a 99% success rate. In this process, the cancer is removed layer by layer in one session until it’s gone. Dermatologists who have completed specialized training in Mohs surgery can perform this procedure.
- Electrodesiccation and curettage remove the cancer by scraping it from the skin (curettage) and then heating the area to destroy leftover cancer cells (electrodessication).
- Radiation treatments may be recommended if the patient cannot undergo surgery, the cancer is too aggressive for surgery alone, or when surgery isn’t the best option.
- Chemotherapy or immunotherapy cream can be prescribed to apply to your skin at home to destroy cancer cells.
- Immunotherapy drugs can help with the treatment of SCC that has spread to other parts of the body.
- Chemoprevention can help if you have a condition that has caused multiple SCCs. This oral medication reduces the likelihood of developing future SCCs.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma FAQs
Is squamous cell carcinoma a serious cancer?
Squamous cell carcinoma is more serious than basal cell carcinoma because it grows more quickly and has a higher likelihood of spreading to deeper layers of skin or other parts of your body. It’s still highly treatable, especially when a dermatologist identifies and treats it early.
Can squamous cell carcinoma spread quickly?
Squamous cell carcinoma can spread faster than basal cell carcinoma, though how quickly varies by the tumor’s depth, size, and location. This is why early evaluation matters: catching it while it’s still confined to the skin’s surface gives your dermatologist more treatment options.
What are the warning signs of squamous cell carcinoma?
Squamous cell carcinoma can appear as dome-shaped growths that may bleed, bumps that feel crusty, flat patches that are red and rough, or sores that won’t heal. It often develops on sun-exposed areas like the head, face, neck, arms, legs, and hands, but can also appear inside the mouth or on the genitalia.
Is squamous cell cancer curable?
Squamous cell carcinoma is highly treatable when caught and treated early, before it has a chance to spread. Treatment options like surgical excision target the cancerous tissue directly, and most cases respond well when addressed promptly by a dermatologist.
