Squamous cell carcinoma is a very common type of skin cancer. It often appears on skin that gets lots of sun, such as the face, ears, bald scalp, neck, or arms, but it can appear elsewhere – even inside the mouth, on the lips, or genitals. Too much sun is often the cause, but it is not the only one. Squamous cell carcinoma can appear on skin that was badly burned, had lots of radiation, such as x-rays, or was exposed to strong chemicals. Squamous cell carcinoma often has a reddish color and can grow deeply if left untreated. The cancer can spread to other parts of the body and it can be deadly. It often looks like a:
- Hard (scaly or crusty) reddish bump, patch, or pearl-shaped growth
- Open sore that itches and bleeds; it can heal and return
- Scaly patch on the lip; the skin on the lip can get thick
If the dermatologist finds something that looks like skin cancer, the dermatologist will remove it (or part of it). The removed skin will be sent to a lab and diagnosed. There are many effective treatments for skin cancer, such as immunotherapy, cryosurgery, chemotherapy applied to the skin, chemotherapy, photodynamic therapy, radiation therapy, or surgical treatments can be pursued. A person can prevent skin cancer by regularly applying sunscreen and avoiding sun exposure when possible.
Source: American Academy of Dermatology
Source: Skin Cancer Foundation