Squamous cell carcinoma is a common form of skin cancer that can grow deeper and spread if left untreated. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment provide the best opportunity for a successful outcome.
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), also known as cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, develops from the squamous cells that make up much of the skin’s outermost layer.
It is commonly associated with accumulated ultraviolet (UV) damage from the sun or tanning beds. SCC may develop in normal-appearing skin, within an actinic keratosis, or in an area of long-term inflammation, scarring, or injury.
When detected and treated early, most squamous cell carcinomas can be treated successfully. However, SCC can sometimes grow rapidly, extend into deeper tissues, return after treatment, or spread to other areas of the body. Prompt evaluation and treatment are important.
Squamous cell carcinoma often appears on areas that receive frequent sun exposure, including:
SCC can also develop in areas that receive little or no sun exposure, including within scars, chronic wounds, and areas of ongoing inflammation.
Squamous cell carcinoma can appear in several different ways. Common warning signs include:
SCC may be red, pink, brown, black, or similar in color to the surrounding skin. Because it can resemble a wart, irritated patch, injury, or other common skin condition, any persistent or changing lesion should be evaluated by a dermatology provider.
Actinic keratosis (AK) is a precancerous skin growth caused by accumulated UV damage. Some actinic keratoses can progress into squamous cell carcinoma.
An AK may begin as a small, rough, or sandpaper-like patch. Changes that may require prompt evaluation include:
Treating actinic keratoses and protecting the skin from further UV exposure can help reduce the risk of future skin cancers.
Your risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma may be higher if you:
SCC can occur in people of every skin tone. In darker skin tones, it may be more likely to develop in areas of chronic inflammation, injury, or scarring.
Squamous cell carcinoma has a greater potential to grow deeply or spread than basal cell carcinoma.
The risk may be higher when the cancer:
Treating SCC early may allow for a smaller procedure, preserve more healthy tissue, and reduce the risk of complications.
Evaluation generally begins with a professional skin examination.
Your provider may:
A biopsy allows the tissue to be examined under a microscope. The results help identify the type of skin cancer and guide the treatment recommendation.
Treatment is personalized according to the cancer’s size, depth, subtype, location, borders, and likelihood of returning or spreading.
Mohs surgery removes the visible cancer and then examines thin layers of surrounding tissue under a microscope during the procedure. Additional tissue is removed only where cancer cells remain.
Mohs surgery may be recommended for SCCs that are:
This precise approach provides comprehensive margin evaluation while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible.
The cancer is removed along with a margin of surrounding skin. The tissue is sent to a laboratory for microscopic examination.
Surgical excision may be appropriate for many well-defined, lower-risk squamous cell carcinomas.
For certain small, superficial, and low-risk SCCs, the cancerous tissue may be removed using a scraping instrument followed by controlled electrodesiccation.
This treatment is not appropriate for every tumor or location.
Depending on the diagnosis and the patient’s overall health, additional treatments may include:
Your dermatology provider will explain which treatment is most appropriate for your diagnosis.
Squamous cell carcinoma in situ, sometimes called Bowen disease, is the earliest form of SCC. At this stage, the abnormal cells remain confined to the skin’s outermost layer.
It commonly appears as a persistent red, pink, or scaly patch and may resemble eczema, psoriasis, or another inflammatory skin condition.
Although SCC in situ has not yet invaded deeper tissue, treatment is recommended to prevent continued growth and possible progression into invasive squamous cell carcinoma.
Without treatment, squamous cell carcinoma may:
The likelihood of complications varies from one tumor to another. Because it is not possible to determine the full risk by appearance alone, SCC should be evaluated and treated promptly.
Not every SCC can be prevented, but you can reduce your risk by:
Patients who have previously had SCC should follow the skin examination schedule recommended by their dermatology provider.
Schedule an evaluation if you notice:
Do not wait for a suspicious growth to become painful. Many skin cancers cause few symptoms during their early stages.
Squamous cell carcinoma is highly treatable when diagnosed early, but it can become serious if it grows deeply or spreads. Prompt treatment is important.
Yes. Most SCCs are treated before they spread, but certain tumors have a greater risk of reaching nearby lymph nodes or other parts of the body.
Growth rates vary. Some SCCs develop slowly, while others grow noticeably over several weeks or months. Any rapidly changing lesion should be evaluated promptly.
No. Treatment depends on the size, depth, subtype, location, and risk level of the cancer. Mohs surgery is often recommended for high-risk tumors and cancers in areas where preserving healthy tissue is important.
Some squamous cell carcinomas develop from actinic keratoses, although not every AK becomes cancerous.
Yes. SCC can occasionally return in the same location. A person who has had SCC also has an increased risk of developing additional skin cancers, making follow-up care and regular skin exams important.
No. SCC and melanoma begin in different types of skin cells. SCC cannot turn into melanoma, but both conditions require appropriate diagnosis and treatment.
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Expert care across medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology.
Extensive surgical experience supporting precise, effective treatment of skin cancer.
A level of training not all surgeons have, ensuring advanced care.
Dedicated facilities in Fayetteville and Rogers offering complete care under one roof.
Advanced Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center provides comprehensive diagnosis and treatment for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) throughout Northwest Arkansas. Our experienced dermatology providers evaluate suspicious lesions, perform skin biopsies, and develop personalized treatment plans based on each cancer’s type, size, depth, and location.
For SCCs that are high-risk, recurrent, poorly defined, or located in sensitive areas, fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon Dr. Lance Henry provides Mohs micrographic surgery with comprehensive microscopic margin evaluation. With dermatology clinics in Fayetteville, Rogers, Bentonville, and Harrison, advanced skin cancer care is close to home.
Advanced Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center, PLLC proudly serves patients throughout Northwest Arkansas with convenient locations including:
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