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Skin Cancer Explained

Squamous cell carcinoma: the risks, symptoms, and what you can do to protect yourself.

Squamous cell carcinoma is a common type of skin cancer. Spot it before it spreads.
MoleMap Team
February 16, 2024
8 minutes

Squamous cell carcinoma is a non-melanoma skin cancer (now often referred to as keratinocyte cancers). Non-melanoma skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in Australia. While cases of non-melanoma skin cancers are not routinely recorded, they are believed to be on the rise.

Keep reading for the lowdown on symptoms and where on the body it most often occurs. Plus, see real-life squamous cell carcinoma pictures to know exactly what to look for.

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What is squamous cell carcinoma?

Squamous cell carcinoma is one of the three most common types of skin cancer. The other types are basal cell carcinoma and melanoma. Squamous cell carcinoma accounts for around 30% of all non-melanoma skin cancers. You might also hear it referred to as ‘cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC)’ or ‘squamous-cell skin cancer’.

This type of skin cancer starts in the keratinocytes or squamous cells that line the surface of the skin. Squamous cell carcinoma is most often found on areas of skin and parts of the body that are frequently exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. This includes the head (face, lips, ears, and scalp), neck, shoulders, backs of hands, and forearms.

While it’s not as dangerous as melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma can spread to other parts of the body if it’s not detected promptly.

It’s worth knowing that a squamous cell carcinoma starts as an actinic keratosis then, after acquiring more mutations, further develops into a superficial cancer or ‘squamous cell carcinoma in situ’. It appears as a red, scaly/crusty patch of skin.This grows slowly and is treatable with topical treatments. However, the concern is that, if left untreated, it can develop into an invasive squamous cell carcinoma skin cancer.

Squamous cell carcinoma symptoms

Initially, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) may look like a thick, red, scaly patch of skin. However, squamous cell skin cancer can look different on everyone. Squamous cell carcinoma symptoms can include:

  • A flat sore with a crust
  • A scaly patch or sore on the lip
  • A firm wart-like red lump
  • A patch of skin that’s sore to touch or bleeds
  • An open sore that doesn’t completely heal
  • Over time, it appears as an enlargement mass/lump 

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Squamous cell carcinoma pictures

Squamous cell carcinoma signs and symptoms can vary from one person to another. Seeing squamous cell carcinoma images may help you to spot this type of skin cancer early.

Images of squamous cell carcinoma.
Squamous cell carcinoma signs and symptoms can vary, however these can include a flat sore with a crust, a scaly patch or sore on the lip. Over time, it can appear as an enlargement mass.

Remember though, these squamous cell carcinoma pictures should only be used as a general guide. If you notice a sore or scaly patch of skin that doesn’t heal within two months, book a skin check.

More images of squamous cell carcinoma.
Initially, squamous cell carcinoma may look like a thick, red, scaly patch of skin. If you notice a sore or scaly patch of skin that doesn’t heal within two months, book a skin check.

Find out more about the symptoms of skin cancer here.

Who’s at risk of squamous cell carcinoma?

Knowing what causes or increases your risk of squamous cell carcinoma may help you prevent it from happening. The most common cause of squamous-cell skin cancer is UV damage from excessive UV radiation. 

Cumulative and over-exposure to UV light causes DNA mutation. As a result, the squamous cells grow uncontrollably — becoming cancerous.

Other factors that can increase your risk for squamous cell carcinoma include:

  • Having a weak immune system
  • A history of skin cancer
  • Aged over 50 years
  • With a history of sunburn 
  • Having fair skin
  • Having human papillomavirus infection (HPV)

How is squamous cell carcinoma diagnosed?

Squamous-cell skin cancer is diagnosed with a physical exam. Your medical practitioner will likely use a dermoscope to magnify the lesion and examine it more closely.

Sometimes it may not be possible to diagnose squamous-cell skin cancer by visual inspection alone. In this case, a skin biopsy may be required. This is a simple procedure where a sample of tissue is removed and sent to a pathologist for testing.

A melanographer examines a patient’s skin in a MoleMap clinic.
Squamous-cell skin cancer is diagnosed with a physical exam. Your medical practitioner will likely use a dermoscope to magnify the lesion and examine it more closely.

There are five stages of squamous cell carcinoma skin cancer.

  • Stage 0 – Abnormal (cancerous) cells exist in the top layer of the skin (epidermis). Also called squamous cell carcinoma in situ or Bowen’s disease.
  • Stage 1 – In stage 1 squamous cell carcinoma, the cancer is 2cm in diameter or smaller, but has not spread.
  • Stage 2 – The cancer is larger than 2 cm in diameters, but less than 4 cm. It hasn’t spread to nearby lymph nodes or healthy tissues.
  • Stage 3 – Cancer has spread below the skin into lymph nodes, bone or space around the nerves.
  • Stage 4 – Cancer has spread to one or more distant sites, such as the lungs, liver, brain or distant lymph nodes.

Squamous cell carcinomas can grow quickly over weeks or months. The earlier it is diagnosed, the higher the likelihood of successful treatment. Prompt detection also decreases the chance of it spreading. 

If you notice any changes to your skin, find a MoleMap location near you for a thorough skin assessment.

Squamous cell carcinoma treatment

Treatment for squamous cell carcinoma may depend on several factors. This includes:

  • The size and location of the cancer
  • Whether you’re on any medications
  • Whether the cancer has spread (i.e. the stage at which it’s at)

The positive news is that there are several effective treatments for early squamous cell carcinoma.  

The most common squamous cell carcinoma treatment is surgery. This involves removing the cancer and some of the ‘normal-looking’ tissue from around the lesion. A pathologist will check the tissue under a microscope to see if all the cancer has been removed. If the surgery is successful, no further treatment is needed. If cancerous cells are found in the ‘normal-looking tissue’, you may need further surgery or alternative skin cancer treatment.

Other squamous cell carcinoma treatments options include:

Topical medications—creams or gels prescribed by a GP that contain immunotherapy or chemotherapy medication to attack cancerous cells

Photodynamic therapy–—a topical medication (cream) that kills cancer cells when activated by light

Cryotherapy—uses extreme cold (liquid nitrogen) to remove small squamous cell carcinomas

Radiation therapy—high dose radiation kills or slows the cancer cells

Young lady receives treatment for squamous cell carcinoma at one of the MoleMap clinics.
Treatment for squamous cell carcinoma may depend on several factors but the positive news is that there are several effective treatments available.

Preventing and detecting skin cancer

The best way to prevent squamous cell carcinoma of the skin is to reduce your risk by avoiding excessive UV exposure. You can do this by:

  • Covering up—wearing clothing and accessories (brimmed hat and sunglasses) that offer protection against the sun
  • Wearing sunscreen (ideally SPF 50+)
  • Reducing your sun exposure when the UV index is higher than 3 (typically between 10am and 3pm)
  • Seeking shade and avoiding excessive UV exposure.

Young woman applying sunscreen at the beach.
The best way to prevent squamous cell carcinoma is by avoiding excessive sun exposure: cover up, wear SPF 50+sunscreen, and seek shade whenever possible.

Regularly check your skin for signs of skin cancer with self-examinations and professional skin screenings. At MoleMap skin cancer clinics, we use start-of-the-art imaging to see signs of skin cancer not visible to the naked eye. We offer a range of services, with each one including a dermatologist diagnosis.

Our most comprehensive mole check is the Full Body MoleMap. It includes total body photography and proactive skin monitoring and mole plotting to spot changes over time. For people at low risk (with few moles) or who have noticed a new or changing mole, we recommend a Skin Check. (Choose SkinCheck+ if you want the added benefit of total body photography.)

You can compare all of our skin screening options here. Then, simply find a MoleMap clinic near you to book your appointment

MoleMap Team

At MoleMap we check, detect and treat skin cancer. Find out how you can protect your skin at your nearest MoleMap skin cancer clinic.

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