Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhere Squamous Cell Carcinoma OccursPrecancerous StageScaly Red PatchesOpen SoresElevated GrowthsWart-Like Nodule
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Where Squamous Cell Carcinoma Occurs
Precancerous Stage
Scaly Red Patches
Open Sores
Elevated Growths
Wart-Like Nodule
When caught early, most cases of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)—the second most common type of skin cancer—are curable. Knowing the early warning signs is critical to receiving an early diagnosis and treatment.
Squamos Cell Carcinoma
SCC can be found anywhere on the body, but is most commonly seen in sun-exposed areas. Common SCC sites include the face, ears, lips,scalp, shoulders, neck, hands, and forearms. It’s also possible to be diagnosed with SCC in areas without sun exposure, such as inside the mouth, under fingernails or toenails, on the genitals, or in the anus.
Unprotected exposure to UV rays is a major risk factor for squamous cell carcinoma. The more time you spend in the sun (or a tanning bed), the more likely you are to develop SCC. About 90% of non-melanoma skin cancers (including SCC) are related to exposure to UV rays.
The earlier SCC is caught and treated, the higher the likelihood that it will be cured. While it’s important to be able to recognize the signs of cancer, it’s also essential to be able to identify the signs and symptoms of precancer.
Early Signs of Sun Damage
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Precancerous Lesions
Robert Kirk / Getty Images
Precancerous lesions are changes to the skin that result from sun damage. It’s estimated that 40% to 60% of all SCC cases first begin as precancers.
The most common form of SCC precancer isactinic keratosis, also called solar keratosis. These growths form mainly because of exposure to UV rays (photo cancerization), and once you develop one, you are at high risk of developing more. Estimates of the 10-year rate of malignant transformation of actinic keratosis (the likelihood that they’ll become cancerous) range from 6% to 10%, with approximately 60% of squamous cell carcinomas arising from actinic keratosis.
An actinic keratosis looks like a small, rough patch of skin. It may be scaly and crusty as well. Possible colors of these lesions include reddish or brownish hues. Some of these growths can also be invisible to the naked eye.Actinic keratoses are often easier to feel than to see. They most often appear on sun-exposed areas like the face, ears, lips, scalp, shoulders, neck, and hands.
Other types of SCC precancerous lesions include:
What Is Carcinoma In Situ and What Does It Mean?
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SCC can first appear as a thick, rough patch of skin. It is often red and scaly. While it is usually painless, it may ooze or bleed. The scaly patch of skin, also known as hyperkeratosis, will have irregular borders and may be itchy.
This feature can help differentiate between squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma, the most common form of skin cancer. Basal cell carcinoma most commonly appears as a pearly white, dome-shaped papule (bump) with prominent telangiectatic surface vessels (meaning you can see tiny dilated blood vessels), while squamous cell carcinoma most commonly appears as a firm, smooth, or thickened papule or plaque, often with a break on the skin in the middle.
The color of an SCC lesion can vary greatly from person to person. They are most commonly red or pink, but may also appear brown, black, white, or yellow. SCC lesions in the mouth often appear as white patches while lesions beneath the nails look brown or black.
SCC lesions can develop in open sores or scars that you already have. They can also progress to resemble an open sore on their own. The sore may bleed and ooze, then crust over. If you notice a sore that never seems to heal, it’s time to get it checked out. You may also notice that the lesion appears to get better, but then quickly returns. This is another sign that it’s time to see the dermatologist.
As SCC lesions progress, they may appear elevated, especially around the edges. While the edges are raised, the center of the sore looks sunken or depressed. The elevated growth is usually pink or red, but can also be flesh-colored. At this point in the disease, the lesion can start to spread more quickly.
DouglasOlivares
Finally, an SCC lesion can start to resemble a wart with raised edges. The area may bleed and crust over, but never heal. The lesion usually appears as a single wart and may grow in size. Advanced cases of SCC can appear as a small horn-shaped growth that turns brown.
In most cases of SCC, the lesion is painless. However, some individuals experience pain or soreness at the site. Others notice itching or a “pins and needles” feeling on the cancerous growth. Numbness is also possible.
A Word From Verywell
The earlier squamous cell carcinoma is diagnosed and treated, the better the outcome. Perform monthly skin self-checks to look for new skin growths, warts, or sores that don’t heal. While most cases of SCC are curable, this cancer can become disfiguring and even lead to death when left untreated. If you have any new skin growths that you’re concerned about, see your healthcare provider right away.
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Skin cancer types: Squamous cell carcinoma symptoms.Kim Y, He YY.Ultraviolet radiation-induced non-melanoma skin cancer: Regulation of DNA damage repair and inflammation.Genes Dis. 2014 Dec 1;1(2):188-198. doi: 10.1016/j.gendis.2014.08.005Firnhaber JM.Diagnosis and treatment of Basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma.Am Fam Physician. 2012 Jul 15;86(2):161-8.Filosa A, Filosa G.Actinic keratosis and squamous cell carcinoma: clinical and pathological features.G Ital Dermatol Venereol. 2015 Aug;150(4):379-84.Skin Cancer Foundation.Actinic Keratosis Overview.Additional ReadingAmerican Cancer Society.Signs and Symptoms of Basal and Squamous Cell Skin Cancers.Cleveland Clinic.Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC).Saint John’s Cancer Institute.Squamous Cell Skin Carcinoma.UCSF Health.Basal Cell and Squamous Cell Carcinoma Signs and Symptoms.
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Skin cancer types: Squamous cell carcinoma symptoms.Kim Y, He YY.Ultraviolet radiation-induced non-melanoma skin cancer: Regulation of DNA damage repair and inflammation.Genes Dis. 2014 Dec 1;1(2):188-198. doi: 10.1016/j.gendis.2014.08.005Firnhaber JM.Diagnosis and treatment of Basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma.Am Fam Physician. 2012 Jul 15;86(2):161-8.Filosa A, Filosa G.Actinic keratosis and squamous cell carcinoma: clinical and pathological features.G Ital Dermatol Venereol. 2015 Aug;150(4):379-84.Skin Cancer Foundation.Actinic Keratosis Overview.Additional ReadingAmerican Cancer Society.Signs and Symptoms of Basal and Squamous Cell Skin Cancers.Cleveland Clinic.Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC).Saint John’s Cancer Institute.Squamous Cell Skin Carcinoma.UCSF Health.Basal Cell and Squamous Cell Carcinoma Signs and Symptoms.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Skin cancer types: Squamous cell carcinoma symptoms.Kim Y, He YY.Ultraviolet radiation-induced non-melanoma skin cancer: Regulation of DNA damage repair and inflammation.Genes Dis. 2014 Dec 1;1(2):188-198. doi: 10.1016/j.gendis.2014.08.005Firnhaber JM.Diagnosis and treatment of Basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma.Am Fam Physician. 2012 Jul 15;86(2):161-8.Filosa A, Filosa G.Actinic keratosis and squamous cell carcinoma: clinical and pathological features.G Ital Dermatol Venereol. 2015 Aug;150(4):379-84.Skin Cancer Foundation.Actinic Keratosis Overview.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Skin cancer types: Squamous cell carcinoma symptoms.
Kim Y, He YY.Ultraviolet radiation-induced non-melanoma skin cancer: Regulation of DNA damage repair and inflammation.Genes Dis. 2014 Dec 1;1(2):188-198. doi: 10.1016/j.gendis.2014.08.005
Firnhaber JM.Diagnosis and treatment of Basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma.Am Fam Physician. 2012 Jul 15;86(2):161-8.
Filosa A, Filosa G.Actinic keratosis and squamous cell carcinoma: clinical and pathological features.G Ital Dermatol Venereol. 2015 Aug;150(4):379-84.
Skin Cancer Foundation.Actinic Keratosis Overview.
American Cancer Society.Signs and Symptoms of Basal and Squamous Cell Skin Cancers.Cleveland Clinic.Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC).Saint John’s Cancer Institute.Squamous Cell Skin Carcinoma.UCSF Health.Basal Cell and Squamous Cell Carcinoma Signs and Symptoms.
American Cancer Society.Signs and Symptoms of Basal and Squamous Cell Skin Cancers.
Cleveland Clinic.Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC).
Saint John’s Cancer Institute.Squamous Cell Skin Carcinoma.
UCSF Health.Basal Cell and Squamous Cell Carcinoma Signs and Symptoms.
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