Squamous cell carcinomas often begin as small, raised lumps which are crusted and have a red or pink base. They most frequently develop on areas of sun-exposed skin such as the head, ears, lips, neck and back of the hands.

Over time, squamous cell carcinomas may enlarge and begin to look like a wart. They may also start to form ulcers and bleed. The ulcers tend to form in the centre of the tumour, with hard, raised edges.

If left untreated, SCCs can erode the surrounding skin. In the later stages they may also spread (metastasise) to other parts of the body via the body’s lymphatic system. Fortunately this is uncommon as most SCCs are treated before they spread.

Less than 5% of SCCs will metastasise. Larger tumours (i.e. those that are wider than 2cm in diameter and greater than 4mm in depth) are more likely to metastasise to other parts of the body.

Bowen’s disease

Bowen’s disease is a condition thought to be a pre-cancerous form of SCC. It is sometimes called squamous cell carcinoma in situ. Bowen’s disease causes a red-brown, scaly patch on the skin. The patch may be itchy.

If left untreated, Bowen’s disease can progress into squamous cell carcinoma. This happens to about 1 in 20 people. Fortunately Bowen’s disease is easily treated with topical medication, surgery, cryotherapy or photodynamic therapy.

Solar (actinic) keratosis

Solar (actinic) keratosis is where dry, scaly, thickened patches of skin (keratoses) form due to sun-damage that has accumulated over time. Actinic keratosis is not classified as a skin cancer, but can develop into a BCC or SCC over time.

The main cause of SCC is exposure to UV radiation in sunlight. UV-A and UV-B radiation can penetrate the skin and cause damage to the DNA of keratinocytes, causing them to grow and divide uncontrollably. This gives rise to tumours.

People with fairer skin that burns easily, red or blond hair, and green or blue eyes are at higher risk of developing SCC. This is because their skin contains less melanin – a pigment that safely absorbs and dissipates UV radiation.

Children’s skin is more easily damaged by the sun and so people with large amounts of exposure to sunlight in childhood are at a higher risk of developing SCC in adulthood. This is particularly true of individuals who have had severe or frequent sunburn and freckling as children.

Risk factors

The main risk factor for developing SCC is exposure to UV radiation from sunlight. People who work outdoors are at particular risk due to increased exposure to sunlight. Using sunbeds, which emit UV radiation, also increases the risk of SCC.

Other risk factors include:

• Family history of skin cancer – this may owe to the fact that characteristics that increase the risk of cancer, such as fair skin and freckling, tend to run in families. 

• Having a precancerous condition such as Bowen’s disease – people with Bowen’s disease or actinic (solar) keratoses are at an increased risk of developing a SCC.

• Age – those aged 55 are over are at higher risk of developing SCC, presumably due to accumulated sun damage to their skin.

• Being male – the prevalence of SCC in men is higher than that in women.

• Suppressed immune system – people with weakened immune system or those taking immunosuppressant medication are at an increased risk of SCC.

• Exposure to certain chemicals – exposure to arsenic, chromium and soot has been associated with SCC.

• Genetic conditions – people with albinism and xeroderma pigmentosum, both inherited conditions, are more likely to get SCC.

Squamous cell carcinoma is usually diagnosed by visually examining the lump on the skin before taking a small sample (biopsy) of the lump to be studied under a microscope. When looking at the skin, you GP may use a special magnifying glass known as a “dermatoscope” to get a closer look.

Biopsies are required to study the cell types in the lump and confirm the diagnosis of SCC. The GP may need to cut out the whole lump – a procedure called an excisional biopsy. This is done under local anaesthetic.

Further tests are not usually required, although a GP may want to order further blood tests and X-rays, CT or MRI to assess whether the squamous cell carcinoma has spread to other parts of the body.

Referral to a specialist

Your GP will normally give you an urgent 2-week referral for suspected squamous cell carcinoma. A dermatologist, oncologist, surgeon or other member of a local hospital skin cancer multidisciplinary team (LSMDT) will then consult you regarding further treatment of a squamous cell carcinoma.

The vast majority of SCC cases can be successfully treated by removing the tumour using surgery. For larger SCCs, SCCs on the face, and SCCs that have invaded underlying structures or spread to other parts of the body, more complicated surgery may be required. As with all surgical procedures, there is a risk of bleeding.

Non-surgical treatments such as radiotherapy, phototherapy or chemotherapy are sometimes used as alternatives to surgery.

Simple surgical excision

Small BCCs can be surgically removed by a GP in primary care. The procedure is usually done with local anaesthetic, where the skin is numbed beforehand. After the surgery, the incision is usually closed with a few stiches.

Curettage and cautery

This is a surgical procedure that uses a tool called a curette to scrape away the tumour (curettage). Any wounds are sealed and bleeding is then stopped with small burns administered by a high-temperature electric probe (cautery). The procedure has been shown to be safe, and, for smaller SCCs, curettage and cautery cures 90% of cases.

Moh’s micrographic surgery

Moh’s micrographic surgery is a surgical procedure for sometimes used for more aggressive SCCs that have the potential to invade surrounding body structures. It is also used to treat recurrent SCCs and SCCs on the face.

The procedure involves removing the SCC from the affected skin in stages. Once the SCC is first removed, the skin surrounding the excision wound is observed under a microscope to check whether any SCC remains. If some of the tumour is remaining, the procedure is repeated.

Although the procedure has an almost 100% success rate, Moh’s micrographic surgery is time-consuming, requires high surgical expertise and is not available at all hospitals. It is more often used for Basal cell Carcinomas (BCCs) than SCCs.

Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy or cryotherapy involves freezing the SCC tumour with liquid nitrogen. This destroys the cancer cells and the tumour eventually falls off. Cryotherapy may cause the surrounding skin to become red, swollen or blistered. This normally subsides within a few days. Cryotherapy is particularly effective in treating SCCs that are smaller and nearer the surface of the skin.

Photodynamic Therapy

Photodynamic therapy is a type of light therapy used to destroy cancer cells. Firstly, a cream containing a chemical known as a ‘photosensitising agent’ is applied to the skin. After a few hours, the sensitising agent is absorbed by the cancer cells in the SCC. The SCC is then exposed to a bright light for between 10 and 45 minutes. The light is at a specific wavelength that activates the photosensitising agent, causing it to destroy the cancerous cells.

Photodynamic therapy is more suitable for smaller, well-defined SCCs. It is less effective for deeper SCCs and there is a higher risk of the SCC reappearing or spreading.

Photodynamic therapy can cause pain, redness and blistering. These usually settle down after a few days. Less commonly, photodynamic therapy can produce scarring.

Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy uses a beam of targeted X-rays to destroy the cancerous cells. It may be considered as a treatment for people who are unsuitable for surgery. Depending on the size and extent of an SCC, a radiotherapy course may last between 2 and 4 weeks.

Radiotherapy has been shown to cure 90% of SCC cases, but the procedure carries a risk of scarring. The skin can also become red and inflamed after radiotherapy, but this usually settles down over time.

The same area cannot be treated twice with radiotherapy, so surgery may eventually be required for recurrent tumours.

Topical imiquimod

Imiquimod is an immune-modulatory drug that triggers the immune system to attack abnormal cells. It is used to destroy the cells of an SCC. Imiquimod comes as a 5% cream, which is usually applied to the skin daily, for 5 days a week, over a period of 6 weeks.

Topical imiquimod is more suited for treating early and precancerous stages of SCC including Bowen’s disease and actinic keratosis. The drug may cause redness and soreness of the skin and flu-like symptoms. These generally subside with time.

Topical 5-fluorouracil

5-fluorouracil is a drug known as an anti-metabolite. It is taken up by cancerous cells and then interferes with their ability to make and repair DNA, causing them to die. 5-fluorouracil comes as an ointment, which is rubbed onto the SCC affected skin, usually daily for 6 weeks. It is particularly useful for SCCs in their early or pre-cancerous stages and SCCs nearer the surface the skin.

Topical 5-fluorouracil commonly causes inflammation of the skin when it is applied. This generally settles down with time.

Measures to lower your exposure to harmful UV radiation will help to reduce your risk of developing a basal cell carcinoma. Where possible, try to:

• Avoid peak sunlight between 11am and 3pm.
• Wear a sunscreen with an SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 30.
• Wear a hat and cover your body with clothing when exposed to the sun.
• Avoid sunbeds and sunlamps
• Regularly check your skin for any unusual moles, lumps, spots or areas of rough, patchy skin.

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