Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) starts in the flat squamous cells in the upper layers of your skin (epidermis) or lining other surfaces, often in sun-exposed areas like the face, ears, neck, hands, and legs, but also in the mouth, throat, lungs, or genitals, developing from DNA damage, usually from UV radiation. It appears as scaly red patches, sores, or bumps that don't heal.
Sun-exposed areas such as the lower lip and ears are most likely to develop squamous cell carcinoma of the skin. Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin is a type of cancer that starts as a growth of cells on the skin. It starts in cells called squamous cells.
Signs of squamous cell carcinoma include any:
Squamous cell lung cancer, also called squamous cell carcinoma of the lung, accounts for about 30% of all lung cancers. It's a type of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that typically is treated using one or more types of therapy—surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, angiogenesis inhibitors, or immunotherapy.
Early-stage squamous cell carcinoma might look rough, scaly, patchy, or like a raised growth or sore that doesn't heal. However, many skin changes often look alike and can't always be diagnosed solely by how they look.
Signs and symptoms of squamous cell skin cancer
They can also develop in scars or skin sores elsewhere. These cancers can appear as: Rough or scaly red (or darker) patches, which might crust or bleed. Raised growths or lumps, sometimes with a lower area in the center.
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.
High-risk human papillomavirus (HR HPV) is associated with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC), which is rising.
Squamous cell carcinoma of the lung, also known as squamous cell lung cancer, is a type of nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Squamous cell lung tumors often occur in the central part of the lung or the main airway, such as the left or right bronchus.
Treatment overview
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.
Metastatic squamous cell carcinoma is often referred to as a neck cancer because it tends to travel to the lymph nodes in the neck and around the collarbone. Because of this, signs of metastasis may include a painful or tender lump in the neck or a sore throat that doesn't improve or go away.
Persistent Fatigue Is Associated With Persistent Peripheral Inflammation in Patients With Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck Cancer up to 3 Months Post-Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy.
The 3 most common forms of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Several skin conditions might be easily mistaken for cancer, including pimples, age spots, moles, skin tags, warts, freckles, eczema, psoriasis, and cherry angiomas.
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.
Although squamous cell carcinomas usually grow slowly, it is important to see a dermatologist quickly. "The sooner you see your doctor and the cancer is diagnosed and treated, the less complicated the surgery to remove it will be, and the faster you will make a complete recovery,” Dr. Leffell explains.
Most basal cell and squamous cell skin cancers are caused by repeated and unprotected skin exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from sunlight, as well as from man-made sources such as tanning beds. UV rays can damage the DNA inside skin cells and cause changes in genes.
The skin around them typically shows signs of sun damage such as wrinkling, pigment changes and loss of elasticity. SCCs can appear as thick, rough, scaly patches that may crust or bleed. They can also resemble warts, or open sores that don't completely heal.
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.
What are the most common places for squamous cell carcinoma to occur? Skin: This is by far the most common location. We see more of these every year than all of the others combined.
Schistosoma haematobium is a proven carcinogenic agent that causes mainly bladder squamous cell carcinoma. This type of cancer has characteristic epidemiological, clinical and histopathological features with poor prognosis as compared to other urinary bladder cancers not associated with this parasite.
Symptoms of squamous cell carcinoma include skin changes like: A rough-feeling, bump or growth, which might crust over like a scab and bleed. A growth that's higher than the skin around it but sinks down (depression) in the middle. A wound or sore that won't heal, or a sore that heals and then comes back.
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) can indeed appear suddenly, catching individuals by surprise. While some skin cancers develop gradually over time, SCC may manifest relatively quickly, seemingly out of nowhere. This rapid onset can make it crucial for individuals to monitor their skin and seek regular check-ups.
Many doctors will order a PET or CT scan once a squamous cell carcinoma diagnosis has been reached to ensure the cancer has not spread to other parts of the body and is contained within the layers of the skin. Your doctor may also test your lymph nodes near the tumor site.
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.
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.