Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)
of the skin, or Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma, is the second most common form of skin cancer. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, more than 1 million people are diagnosed with SCC each year.
SCC is characterized by abnormal, accelerated growth of squamous cells. These flat cells line organs, such as the lungs, throat, thyroid, and skin and function to protect underlying tissue. In the skin, squamous cells are located near the surface and shed continuously as new cells form. SCC is usually not life-threatening, though it can be aggressive. Untreated, squamous cell carcinoma of the skin can grow large or spread to other parts of your body, causing serious complications.
SCCs commonly appear on sun-exposed areas of the body such as the face, ears, neck, lips, and backs of the hands. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, they can also develop in scars or chronic skin sores elsewhere. They can occur anywhere on your body, including inside your mouth, the bottoms of your feet and on your genitals.
To help you spot a SCC before it grows wide and deep into your skin, The American Academy of Dermatology recommends keeping an eye out for these warning signs:
- Rough feeling, reddish patch
- Round growth with raised borders
- A sore that won't heal, or heals and returns
- Age spot
- Raised, round growth
- Animal's horn
- Sore inside your mouth
- Dark streak beneath a nail
- Disappearing Nail
SCCs can usually be removed completely, although they are more likely than BCCs to grow into deeper layers of skin and spread to other parts of the body.
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, more than 15,000 Americans die each year from Squamous Cell Carcinoma. If you notice any spot on your skin that is growing, bleeding, or changing in any way, consult with your dermatologist.