Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) ranks as the second most common type of skin cancer in the U.S. It arises from squamous cells—the flat cells that form the skin’s outermost surface and serve as its first line of defense. The primary culprit is cumulative ultraviolet (UV) radiation from years of sun exposure or tanning bed use. Over time, this radiation damages the DNA within skin cells, eventually causing them to multiply in an abnormal, uncontrolled way that leads to cancerous growths.
SCC is usually very treatable, especially when caught early, but it carries a higher potential for aggressiveness than basal cell carcinoma. If neglected, it can grow more deeply into surrounding tissue and, in some cases, spread (metastasize) to other areas of the body. Because of this risk, recognizing suspicious lesions and seeking timely care is vital for the best possible outcome.
Warning signs can include scaly red patches, open sores that don’t heal, thickened or wart-like growths, or raised lesions that may crust or bleed. Preventive measures—such as limiting sun exposure, avoiding tanning beds, and scheduling routine skin exams—remain the most effective ways to reduce risk and detect SCC in its earliest, most manageable stages.
Signs & Symptoms
- Rough, scaly, or thickened skin patches that may crust, bleed, or appear as wart-like growths. Sometimes they present as open sores that fail to heal.
- Most often found on sun-exposed areas such as the face, ears, lips, scalp, chest, arms, and hands. In darker skin, SCC is more likely to appear in less sun-exposed regions.
- SCC lesions can be painful or tender, and may bleed when irritated.
- Left untreated, lesions may grow in size, or change in appearance.
Who Is at Risk?
Certain factors increase the likelihood of developing SCC:
- Fair skin, light hair, and light-colored eyes
- Long history of sun exposure or blistering sunburns
- Tanning bed use
- Age over 30 (though it can appear earlier in high-risk individuals)
- Weakened immune system or prior radiation therapy
- Family or personal history of skin cancer
Treatment Options
- Topical prescriptions – for very superficial SCCs
- Electrodessication & Curettage (ED&C) – scraping and cauterizing the lesion
- Surgical excision – removing the cancerous growth with a margin of healthy skin
- Mohs surgery – for high-risk or cosmetically sensitive areas, such as the face or lips
A biopsy is always performed to confirm the diagnosis and guide treatment.
Why Treatment Matters
SCC does not heal on its own. Left untreated, it can:
- Invade deeper layers of skin and tissue
- Affect cartilage, nerves, or bone
- Spread (metastasize) to lymph nodes or organs in rare cases
Fortunately, when caught early, SCC is highly curable.
Prevention & Long-Term Care
- Wear broad-spectrum sunscreen daily (SPF 30 or higher).
- Avoid tanning beds.
- Use protective clothing, wide-brimmed hats, and sunglasses outdoors.
- Perform monthly self-skin checks for new or changing lesions.
- Schedule regular skin exams with a dermatologist, especially if you have a history of skin cancer.