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Squamous Cell Carcinoma

What is squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)?

Squamous Cell Carcinoma is a form of skin cancer that has a risk of spreading to different parts of the body if left untreated. The danger of spreading is significantly higher if the growth has been left for a long time or if it is located in high-exposure areas, such as the nose, eyelids, ears or lips.

What does an SCC look like?

It often starts as a reddish or brownish scaly patch, or elevated. As it grows, it might form a red lump, become tender or form a crust on top. Sometimes it grows rapidly; other times it develops from a scaly spot that has been present for years.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Squamous Cell Carcinoma FAQs

Your questions answered

What causes it?

Squamous Cell Carcinomas occur on areas of skin that have chronic sun exposure and damage. This skin cancer usually starts from actinic keratoses, which are pre-existing sunspots.

How is an SCC diagnosed?

If you have a suspicious-looking lesion or lump, you should have it checked immediately. Often we detect these types of lesions during the annual skin checks of many of our patients. If it is not clear the lesion is cancerous, then a biopsy is taken and sent for a pathology examination.

How is it treated?

Upon confirmation of SCC, the lesions are usually removed with surgery.