Globally, estimates vary, but around 26,000 people died from squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in 2020 within the EU alone, while in the US, more than 15,000 Americans die from SCC annually, often considered a significant undercount due to poor reporting, though it's much less common than basal cell carcinoma. Mortality rates are low when caught early but rise significantly if it spreads, with high-risk cases having a 3-5% mortality rate, highlighting the importance of early detection despite its relative rarity compared to diagnoses.
The squamous cells make up the middle and outer layers of the skin. Squamous cell carcinoma is a common type of skin cancer. Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin is usually not life-threatening. But if it's not treated, squamous cell carcinoma of the skin can grow large or spread to other parts of the body.
Definition. Squamous cell carcinoma of the nose is a type of skin cancer characterized by the abnormal growth of squamous cells in the nasal region. It typically presents as a non-healing sore, scaly patch, or growth on the nose and can potentially spread to other parts of the body if left untreated.
Squamous cell carcinoma rarely metastasizes (spreads to other areas of the body), and when spreading does occur, it typically happens slowly. Indeed, most squamous cell carcinoma cases are diagnosed before the cancer has progressed beyond the upper layer of skin.
In general, the squamous cell carcinoma survival rate is very high—when detected early, the five-year survival rate is 99 percent. Even if squamous cell carcinoma has spread to nearby lymph nodes, the cancer may be effectively treated through a combination of surgery and radiation treatment.
Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common type of skin cancer in the United States, after basal cell carcinoma, with about 700,000 diagnosed each year. It accounts for about 2,500 deaths.
It's important not to delay treatment for too long, since this can make the cancer more difficult to cure. Waiting to treat squamous cell skin cancer also increases the risk of hurting your appearance and leading to difficulties with using that part of the body normally if a lot of surgery or other treatment is needed.
They stretch down from the oral cavity into the esophagus and lungs; they can be found in the cervix, anus and bladder, too. Eventually, the surface lining changes, though, and that's where you start getting into adenocarcinomas. Are there any features common to all squamous cell carcinomas?
Summary. Surgical excision remains the gold standard for the management of cutaneous squamous cell cancers (SCC) and national guidelines for operative radial margins predict 95% oncological clearance with a margin of 4 mm for low-risk and 6 mm for high-risk tumours.
Chemotherapy. Chemotherapy uses strong medicines to kill cancer cells. If squamous cell carcinoma spreads to the lymph nodes or other parts of the body, chemotherapy can be used alone or with other treatments, such as targeted therapy and radiation therapy. Targeted therapy.
While you can't prevent all types of squamous cell carcinoma, you can take steps to reduce your risk by: Avoiding excessive sun exposure. Avoid using tanning beds. Using sunscreen when you're outdoors.
Treatment overview
In July 2021, the FDA expanded this approval to include SCC that is locally advanced and not curable by radiation or surgery. In 2024, the FDA approved cosibelimab-ipdl (UnloxcytTM) for adults with locally advanced or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma that is not curable with surgery or radiation.
Location on the Body
Squamous cell carcinomas that develop on high-risk areas of the body tend to behave more aggressively. These areas include the ears, lips, nose, scalp, fingers, and genitals, as well as sites where the skin is already damaged by chronic inflammation, burns, or scars.
Metastatic squamous neck cancer with occult primary is a disease in which squamous cell cancer spreads to lymph nodes in the neck and it is not known where the cancer first formed in the body. Signs and symptoms of metastatic squamous neck cancer with occult primary include a lump or pain in the neck or throat.
Most SCCs are found and treated at an early stage, when they can be removed or destroyed with local treatments such as surgery or radiation therapy. Small SCCs can usually be cured with these treatments. Larger SCCs are harder to treat, and fast-growing cancers have a higher risk of coming back.
If you don't have squamous cell carcinoma removed, it becomes aggressive and invasive, growing deep into the surrounding area. As the cancer grows and spreads, it destroys the tissues it encounters, including skin, bone, fat, and nerves. Without treatment, the damage becomes severe and disfiguring.
The doctor scrapes a little beyond the edge of the cancer to help remove all the cancer cells. The wound is then covered with ointment and a bandage. A scab will form over the area. The wound may take 3 to 6 weeks to heal.
Cutaneous SCCs present as enlarging scaly or crusted lumps. They usually arise within pre-existing actinic keratosis or intraepidermal carcinoma. Size varies from a few millimetres to several centimetres in diameter.
Factors considered when staging squamous cell carcinoma
Both basal and squamous cell skin cancers are relatively slow-growing, but the most important difference between squamous cell skin cancer versus basal cell skin cancer is that squamous cell skin cancer is more likely to spread to other organs. If it spreads, it can be life-threatening.
Squamous cell carcinomas appear as red scaly patches, scaly bumps, or open sores. Left alone, they become larger and destroy tissue on the skin. They can also spread to other areas of the body.
It's more common in people with lighter skin. In these people, it most often appears on parts of the body exposed to the sun. In people with darker skin, it appears more often on skin that isn't exposed to the sun and in areas where there are scars or ongoing skin problems. Skin cancer is usually treated with surgery.
Skin cancer can return even after complete removal and reconstruction. Basal and squamous cell carcinoma have recurrence risks, especially in high-risk areas. Clear margins reduce risk but don't guarantee recurrence won't happen. Regular follow-ups and early detection are key to long-term outcomes.
Surgery to remove the cancer (surgical excision) is the most common treatment for invasive basal cell carcinoma BCC and squamous cell carcinoma SCC. Most small skin cancers are removed by a GP or a dermatologist in their consulting rooms. A surgeon may treat more complex cases.
Squamous cell carcinoma is most curable in the early stages before it spreads. If it's diagnosed early, the five-year survival rate is approximately 99%. To protect yourself, get a professional skin cancer examination at least once a year and perform monthly self-examinations of your skin.