Key takeaways
- Squamous cell cancer (SCC), also called squamous cell carcinoma, is a type of cancer. It most often develops in the outermost layers of your skin, but it can also develop in your mouth, nose, throat, and other body areas.
- Skin SCC may appear as scaly patches, open sores, or wart-like growths. It generally isn’t life threatening when caught early. However, it can become more serious without treatment, as it may spread and lead to complications.
- Treatment for SCC often includes surgical removal of the affected tissue, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Prevention methods include protecting your skin from the sun and UV light and getting regular skin checks from a dermatologist.
SCC 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).
SCC 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.
Cutaneous SCC (cSCC) is a skin cancer that develops in the squamous cells of your skin. cSCC is the second most common type of skin cancer.
Although cSCC isn’t typically life threatening, without early diagnosis and treatment, the cSCC growths can grow in size and spread to other parts of your body.
cSCC can develop anywhere on your skin, but it most often develops in areas that get the most exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, from sunlight or from tanning beds or lamps — such as your scalp, face, or hands.
SCC can also develop in areas other than your skin, in tissues called mucous membranes. Mucous membranes are in your eyes, mouth, nose, throat, lungs, cervix, and other areas, meaning SCC can develop in any of these places. Oral SCC makes up more than 90% of mouth cancers. Lung SCC makes up about
Here are some examples of what squamous cell carcinoma can look like:
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, discolored patch of skin
- a spot resembling an age spot
- a wart-like growth
- new growth on an old scar, birthmark, or mole
- a horn-shaped growth
- a firm and dome-shaped growth
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, cSCC is most commonly red or pink. It can also be:
- brown
- black
- yellowish
- white
In your mouth, SCC can cause:
- lip or mouth sores that don’t heal
- sore or rough patches in your mouth
- a loose tooth
- white or reddish patches
- painful swallowing
- a growth inside your mouth
If you have SCC in areas other than your skin, you will typically experience symptoms related to those body functions. For example, lung SCC may cause a persistent cough or shortness of breath, while nose SCC may cause nasal blockage, pressure, or reduced smell.
Make an appointment with a doctor right away if you notice any symptoms of SCC, or experience a sore, growth, or any other symptom that doesn’t heal. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for preventing complications.
cSCC is caused by mutations that occur in squamous cell DNA. These changes cause atypical cells to multiply out of control.
UV radiation is the most common trigger of the DNA mutations that lead to cSCC and other skin cancers.
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 of SCC include:
Risk factors for squamous cell cancer
Risk factors for cSCC include:
- having light 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, depending on:
- the extent and severity of the cancer
- your age
- your overall health
- the location of the cancer
If SCC is caught early, it can usually be successfully treated. It becomes harder to cure once it has spread.
Treatment options include:
- Mohs micrographic surgery: In Mohs surgery, a doctor uses a scalpel to remove the affected skin and some of the surrounding tissue.
- Excisional surgery: During excisional surgery, a doctor removes the cancer cells as well as a thin layer of healthy skin in the surrounding area. The sample is then sent to a laboratory to ensure the entire cancerous area has been removed.
- Electrosurgery: Also called electrodesiccation and curettage, electrosurgery involves scraping off the cancer and burning the skin to kill cancer cells.
- Cryosurgery: During cryosurgery, a doctor uses liquid nitrogen to freeze and destroy the cancerous tissue.
- Radiotherapy: With radiation, high-energy X-rays kill cancer cells. Radiation is often performed multiple times a week for several weeks.
- Photodynamic therapy (PDT): PDT involves applying a medication to the affected tissues that increases light sensitivity. Doctors then expose these areas to light for several minutes, activating the medication and killing abnormal cells.
- Systemic medications: Several types of systemic drugs are
FDA approved to treat SCC, including cemiplimab-rwlc (Libtayo) and pembrolizumab (Keytruda). Systemic medications act on your whole body and are often used for aggressive SCC.
If needed, procedures to remove SCC are typically repeated until no more cancer cells are detected.
Once SCC has been treated, it’s critical to attend all follow-up visits with your medical team. SCC can return, and it’s essential to monitor your skin for any precancerous or cancerous areas at least once a month, as well as look out for any new or persistent symptoms.
A doctor will first check for possible cSCC by reviewing any skin symptoms you have. With non-skin SCC, they will ask about your other symptoms in detail. They will also ask you about your medical history.
If the doctor suspects SCC, they may order a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. A biopsy usually involves removing a very small portion of the affected tissue. The 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 a doctor about any potential scarring or biopsy concerns.
SCC is a type of cancer. It most commonly develops in your skin, but it can also develop in other body areas.
Early detection of SCC is key to successful treatment. If SCC 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, history of high exposure to UV light, and a family history of SCC are more likely to develop SCC themselves.
Contact a doctor right away if you suspect you have any type of cancer or notice any new or persistent symptoms.