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See photos of basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, the two most common types of skin cancer. Learn how to identify the signs and symptoms of skin cancer and when to see a dermatologist.
- Actinic Keratosis Warning Signs and Images
If you have a history of unprotected UV exposure, live in a...
- MCC Warning Signs
Diagnosis and management of Merkel cell carcinoma presents...
- Basal Cell Carcinoma
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common form of skin...
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the skin is the second most...
- Actinic Keratosis Warning Signs and Images
- Overview
- What is squamous cell skin cancer?
- What does squamous cell carcinoma look like?
- Types of skin cancer
- What are the symptoms of squamous cell cancer?
- What are the causes and risk factors for squamous cell cancer?
- How is squamous cell cancer treated?
- How is squamous cell cancer diagnosed?
- Can squamous cell cancer be prevented?
- Takeaway
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Squamous cell cancer (SCC), also known as squamous cell carcinoma, is a type of cancer. It develops in squamous cells, which are the thin, flat cells that make up the outermost layer of your skin.
Squamous cells are also found in other parts of your body such as your lungs, mucous membranes, digestive tract, and urinary tract.
SCC that forms in your skin is known as cutaneous SCC (cSCC). cSCC develops due to changes in the DNA of squamous cells, which causes them to multiply uncontrollably. It often forms on parts of your skin frequently exposed to sunlight like your face, neck, or arms.
Keep reading to learn more about this type of skin cancer, what it looks like, what causes it, and how it’s diagnosed and treated.
Cutaneous SCC (cSCC) is a cancer that develops in the squamous cells of your skin. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, about 1.8 million people in the United States are diagnosed with cSCC each year. It’s the second most common type of skin cancer.
Although cSCC isn’t life threatening, it can become dangerous if it goes untreated. When treatment isn’t received quickly, the growths can increase in size and spread to other parts of your body, causing serious complications.
People with cSCC often develop scaly, red patches, open sores, or warty growths on their skin. These abnormal growths can develop anywhere, but they’re most often found in areas that receive the most exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, either from sunlight or from tanning beds or lamps.
Oral SCC also makes up more than 90 percent of mouth cancers. Lung SCC makes up about 30 percent of a group of lung cancers called non-small cell lung cancer and about 25 percent of lung cancers overall.
Here are some examples of what squamous cell carcinoma can look like:
Your skin has multiple layers. The outer, protective layer of the skin is known as the epidermis. The epidermis has three main types of cells:
•keratinocytes (skin cells, also called squamous cells)
•melanocytes (pigment-producing cells)
•Langerhans cells (immune cells)
The cells of the epidermis are constantly shedding to make way for fresh, new skin cells.
However, when certain genetic changes occur in the DNA of any of these cells, skin cancer can occur. The main types of skin cancer are:
cSCC often occurs in areas exposed to UV radiation, such as your face, ears, and hands. However, it can also appear in your mouth, around your anus, and on your genitals.
Symptoms of cSCC can include:
•an open sore that can have raised borders
•a scaly, reddish patch of skin
•a brown spot resembling an age spot
•a wart-like growth
Causes of squamous cell cancer
Most cases of cSCC are attributed to exposure to UV radiation from sunlight or indoor tanning equipment like tanning lamps and beds. Other potential causes include: •Genetics. Genetic factors seem to play a role in the development of cSCC. A 2015 study found that people with a family history of cSCC are about four times more likely to develop it. •Smoking. People who smoke are more likely to develop cSCC, especially on their lips. Smoking is the primary risk factor for developing lung cSCC and other non-small cell lung cancers. •Chemical exposure. Exposure to certain chemicals such as coal tar, paraffin, some petroleum products, and arsenic may contribute to cSCC development. •Radiation exposure. Undergoing radiation therapy slightly increases your risk of developing skin cancer in the part of your body that received treatment. •Immunosuppression. Immunosuppression contributes to the development of cSCC. For example, organ transplant recipients have a 65 to 250 times higher risk of developing cSCC than people in the general population. •Severe burn scars and sores. cSCC can develop in severe burn scars, sores, or ulcers that have been on your body for many years.
Risk factors for squamous cell cancer
Risk factors for cSCC include: •having fair skin •having light-colored hair and blue, green, or gray eyes •having long-term exposure to UV radiation •living in sunny regions or at a high altitude •having a history of multiple severe sunburns, especially if they occurred early in life •having a history of being exposed to chemicals, such as arsenic •having a history of immunosuppression •history of severe burn scars, ulcers, or sores
Treatment for cSCC varies. Treatment is based on:
•the extent and severity of your cancer
•your age
•your overall health
•the location of the cancer
If cSCC is caught early, the condition can usually be successfully treated. It becomes harder to cure once it has spread. Many treatments can be performed as in-office procedures. Treatments may include:
Your doctor will first perform a physical exam and inspect any abnormal areas for signs of cSCC. They’ll also ask you about your medical history. If cSCC is suspected, your doctor may decide to take a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis.
A biopsy usually involves removing a very small portion of the affected skin. The skin sample is then sent to a laboratory for testing.
In some cases, your doctor may need to remove a larger part or all of the abnormal growth for testing. Talk with your doctor about any potential scarring or biopsy concerns.
After receiving treatment for cSCC, be sure to attend all follow-up visits with your doctor. It’s possible for the cancer to return, so it’s critical to check your skin for any signs of cancer or precancer at least once per month.
To help reduce your risk of cSCC, follow these tips when possible:
•Limit your sun exposure.
•Avoid the sun during the hottest part of the day, which is between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
•Wear sunscreen that has an SPF of at least 30 whenever you go out in the sun.
•Wear sunglasses with UV ray protection.
•Wear a hat and cover your skin when working outside.
Early detection of cSCC is key to successful treatment. If cSCC isn’t treated in its early stages, the cancer may spread to other areas of the body, including the lymph nodes and organs. Once this occurs, the condition can be life threatening.
People with weakened immune systems due to certain medical conditions, such as HIV, AIDS, or leukemia, have a greater risk of developing more serious forms of cSCC.
Learn about squamous cell cancer, a type of skin cancer that develops in the thin, flat cells of your skin. See pictures of what it looks like, what causes it, and how it’s treated.
- Daniel Yetman
Sep 6, 2017 · Learn how to identify squamous cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer that forms on sun-exposed areas. See pictures of the early signs, such as Bowen’s disease and actinic keratosis, and the later stages, such as bumps, sores, and changes in spots.
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Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the skin can be easily treated when caught early. Know the SCC warning signs to help you spot this common skin cancer.
See pictures of squamous cell skin cancer (SCSC) and its precursors, actinic keratoses, on different parts of the body. Learn how to recognize the signs of SCSC, such as red, scaly, wart-like, or ulcerated spots.
See how different types of skin cancers, including squamous cell cancers, can look on the skin. Learn how to spot the signs of skin cancer and when to see your doctor.
People also ask
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What is cutaneous squamous cancer (CSCC)?
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Apr 12, 2021 · Learn how to recognize the signs of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), the second most common type of skin cancer, and see photos of different stages and locations. Find out how to prevent, diagnose, and treat SCC and its precancerous lesions.
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