Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin is a common form of skin cancer that develops in the squamous cells that make up the middle and outer layers of the skin.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin is usually not life-threatening, though it can be aggressive. Untreated, squamous cell carcinoma of the skin can grow large or spread to other parts of your body, causing serious complications.

Most squamous cell carcinomas of the skin result from prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, either from sunlight or from tanning beds or lamps. Avoiding UV light helps reduce your risk of squamous cell carcinoma of the skin and other forms of skin cancer.

Symptoms

Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin most often occurs on sun-exposed skin, such as your scalp, the backs of your hands, your ears or your lips. But it can occur anywhere on your body, including inside your mouth, the bottoms of your feet and on your genitals.

Signs and symptoms of squamous cell carcinoma of the skin include:

• A firm, red nodule
• A flat sore with a scaly crust
• A new sore or raised area on an old scar or ulcer
• A rough, scaly patch on your lip that may evolve to an open sore
• A red sore or rough patch inside your mouth
• A red, raised patch or wartlike sore on or in the anus or on your genitals

Causes

Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin occurs when the flat, thin squamous cells in the middle and outer layers of your skin develop changes (mutations) in their DNA. A cell's DNA contains the instructions that tell a cell what to do. The mutations tell the squamous cells to grow out of control and to continue living when normal cells would die.

Most of the DNA mutations in skin cells are caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation found in sunlight and in commercial tanning lamps and tanning beds.

Diagnosis

Tests and procedures used to diagnose squamous cell carcinoma of the skin include:

• Physical exam. Your doctor will ask questions about your health history and examine your skin to look for signs of squamous cell carcinoma of the skin.
• Removing a sample of tissue for testing. To confirm a squamous cell carcinoma of the skin diagnosis, your doctor will use a tool to cut away some or all of the suspicious skin lesion (biopsy). What type of skin biopsy you undergo depends on your particular situation. The tissue is sent to a laboratory for examination.

Treatment

Most squamous cell carcinomas of the skin can be completely removed with relatively minor surgery or occasionally with a medicine applied to the skin. Which treatments are best for you depends on the size, location and aggressiveness of the tumor, as well as your own preferences.

Treatments for very small skin cancers

If your skin cancer is very small and has a low risk of spreading, you might consider less invasive treatments, including:

• Curettage and electrodessication (C and E)
• Laser therapy
• Freezing
• Photodynamic therapy

Treatments for larger skin cancers

More invasive treatments might be recommended for larger squamous cell carcinomas and those that extend deeper into the skin. Options might include:

• Simple excision
• Mohs surgery
• Radiation therapy

Treatments for skin cancer that spreads beyond the skin

• Chemotherapy
• Targeted drug therapy
• Immunotherapy

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