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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
Find out more about the symptoms of skin cancer here.
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:
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.
There are five stages of squamous cell carcinoma skin cancer.
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.
Treatment for squamous cell carcinoma may depend on several factors. This includes:
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
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:
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
