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Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common form of skin cancer, developing in the flat, thin squamous cells that make up the outer layer of skin. It typically appears in sun-exposed areas like the face, ears, lips, neck, and hands, and while it’s highly treatable when caught early, SCC grows faster than basal cell carcinoma and carries a higher risk of spreading if it’s left unchecked. At Genesis Dermatology in Jupiter, FL, our board-certified dermatologists diagnose and treat SCC with the goal of complete removal before it can progress.
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What Is Squamous Cell Carcinoma?

SCC develops when squamous cells accumulate DNA damage, most often from years of cumulative UV exposure, and begin to grow abnormally. It can arise on its own or develop from an untreated actinic keratosis, a precancerous rough patch caused by sun damage.

Unlike basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma has a meaningful, though still relatively low, risk of spreading to lymph nodes and other parts of the body, particularly when it develops on the lips, ears, or in patients who are immunosuppressed (such as organ transplant recipients). That risk is one of the main reasons early diagnosis and treatment matter.

How to Detect Squamous Cell Carcinoma

SCC can take a few different forms, but common warning signs include:
  • A firm, red, dome-shaped bump, sometimes with a central crater or crust
  • A rough or scaly red patch that may crust, bleed, or itch
  • A wart-like growth that grows steadily over weeks to months
  • A sore that doesn't heal, or one that heals and then reopens
  • An existing rough, scaly patch (actinic keratosis) that starts to thicken, become tender, or bleed
  • Most commonly found on the face, ears, lips, neck, scalp, and backs of the hands

When Should You See a Doctor?

Because SCC can grow more quickly than BCC, don’t wait for these signs:
  • Any new growth, bump, or sore that doesn't heal within three to four weeks
  • A known actinic keratosis that suddenly changes, thickens, or becomes painful
  • A sore on the lip or ear that isn't healing, both higher-risk locations
  • Any lesion that's growing quickly or has become tender to the touch
  • You're immunosuppressed or have had an organ transplant, which raises SCC risk and warrants more frequent skin checks

What Happens If Squamous Cell Carcinoma Is Left Untreated?

Left untreated, SCC can grow deeper into the skin and invade nerves, a process called perineural invasion that can cause pain, numbness, or muscle weakness in the area. Deep, longstanding tumors are also more likely to spread to nearby lymph nodes and, in more advanced cases, to distant organs.

The location matters too. SCCs on the lips, ears, and temples are considered higher risk and more likely to spread if not treated promptly. What starts as a straightforward outpatient excision can turn into a much larger surgery, lymph node evaluation, or additional treatments like radiation if the cancer is allowed to progress.

The Genesis Dermatology Process

Here’s what a visit for a suspicious spot looks like at our Jupiter office:
  • A thorough exam of the lesion and surrounding skin using dermoscopy
  • An in-office biopsy to confirm the diagnosis and assess how aggressive the cells appear
  • Review of your pathology results, including any high-risk features that affect the treatment plan
  • A treatment recommendation matched to your case, typically surgical excision or Mohs micrographic surgery, with additional workup (like lymph node evaluation or imaging) for higher-risk tumors
  • A structured follow-up schedule, since a personal history of SCC increases the chance of developing another skin cancer

Ready to Take the Next Step?

A sore that won’t heal or a rough patch that’s changing shouldn’t wait. Schedule an evaluation with the board-certified dermatologists at Genesis Dermatology in Jupiter, FL, to get an accurate diagnosis and a treatment plan built around your specific case.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Is squamous cell carcinoma more dangerous than basal cell carcinoma?
Generally, yes. SCC grows faster and has a higher, though still relatively low, chance of spreading to lymph nodes or other organs, especially if it’s on the lips or ears, or if the patient is immunosuppressed. That’s why prompt evaluation matters more with SCC than with BCC.
It can, though most SCCs caught and treated early do not spread. The risk of metastasis rises with tumor size, depth, location (lips and ears are higher risk), and in patients with weakened immune systems.
Most SCCs are treated with surgical excision or Mohs micrographic surgery, which allows precise removal while sparing as much healthy tissue as possible. Larger or higher-risk tumors may also involve lymph node evaluation or radiation therapy.
Actinic keratosis is a precancerous patch; squamous cell carcinoma is the cancer it can turn into if left untreated. Any AK that changes, thickens, or becomes tender should be re-evaluated, since that can signal progression to SCC.
Some scarring is expected with any surgical removal, but Mohs surgery and careful closure techniques are designed to minimize scarring, particularly in cosmetically sensitive areas like the face.
Risk increases with fair skin, significant lifetime sun exposure, a history of tanning bed use, prior skin cancer, and immunosuppression (including organ transplant recipients). If any of these apply to you, more frequent skin exams are worth discussing with your provider.