Squamous cell carcinoma typically develops in sun-damaged skin in fair-skinned patients. Squamous cell carcinomas, a type of skin cancer, can appear as a round, red mass, typically on a sun-exposed location. Large, white, slightly elevated lesions and an erosion of the tongue are signs of an oral squamous cell carcinoma. As displayed in this early squamous cell carcinoma, a small, elevated lesion may be accompanied with scale or a crust. Squamous cell carcinoma can involve the fingertip and begin under the fingernail, as displayed here. Squamous cell carcinoma frequently appears on the face, as displayed in this image. This image displays a bleeding lesion typical of squamous cell carcinoma. This image displays squamous cell carcinoma on the nose, a frequent location due to chronic sun exposure. This image displays a squamous cell carcinoma on a black patient, which is infrequent. Squamous cell carcinoma can involve the fingertip and begin under the fingernail, as seen in this image. This image displays a crusting and bleeding lesion on the lower lip typical of squamous cell carcinoma. This image displays multiple areas of sun damage and a large squamous cell carcinoma on the middle finger. This squamous cell carcinoma under the toenail has a pink to brown streak of discoloration of the nail plate as well as a thickened, rough area at the edge and under the nail plate. Due to chronic sun exposure, this foot had sun-induced freckles; a bleeding lesion; and a large, scaling lesion typical of squamous cell carcinoma. This image displays an elevated skin lesion typical of squamous cell carcinoma. A squamous cell carcinoma is often hard to distinguish from an actinic keratosis, which is its precursor.
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Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC):
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Picture of Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC): Squamous cell carcinoma typically develops in sun-damaged skin in fair-skinned patients. Divider line
Squamous cell carcinoma typically develops in sun-damaged skin in fair-skinned patients.
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Who's At Risk
Although squamous cell carcinoma can be found worldwide, it is most commonly seen in elderly, light-skinned people with a large amount of sun exposure.

Risk factors for the development of squamous cell carcinoma include:
  • Age over 50 years
  • Fair skin, light hair, or light eyes
  • Male sex
  • Chronic exposure to sunlight or other ultraviolet light
  • Exposure to certain chemicals, such as arsenic or tar
  • Exposure to radiation, such as X-ray treatment for internal cancers
  • Long-term suppression of the immune system, such as organ transplant recipients
  • Long-term presence of scars, such as from a gasoline burn
  • Chronic ulcers
  • Previous skin cancer
Darker-skinned people are much less likely to develop squamous cell carcinoma, though it is the most common form of skin cancer in people of African and Asian descent.
Last Modified: 29 Jan 2008

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