Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Skin

Squamous cells make up the outermost layer of the skin, as well as some other areas of the body. They’re also found in the inner lining of hollow organs, like the throat and digestive track. This page covers squamous cell carcinoma of the skin only.

Each year, about 1 million people in the United States are diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the skin. According to the American Cancer Society, each year about 2,000 people in the U.S. die of squamous cell carcinoma of the skin and basal cell carcinoma (the most common skin cancer) combined, making the disease very treatable and curable.

Squamous cell carcinoma is usually caused by prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light that builds up over the patient’s lifetime. This UV light can come from sunlight or from tanning beds. Other risk factors include chronic skin wounds and radiation therapy treatment for another cancer. These tumors usually form in the radiation site.

Organ transplant recipients also have a much higher risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma than the general population. Doctors believe immunosuppressive drugs that prevent the body from rejecting the transplanted organ makes the patient more susceptible to this type of cancer.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin may develop from or be associated with actinic keratoses. These are scaly, damaged patches of skin often found on areas of the body that get lots of sun exposure, like the face, scalp and back of the hands.

Overall, squamous cell carcinoma of the skin spreads, or metastasizes, only 5% of the time. Larger tumors, though, have a higher risk of metastasis. Tumors around the head and neck, including the ears, eyelid and lips, are also more likely to spread.

The symptoms of squamous cell carcinoma of the skin include sore that won’t heal and skin changes, including a lump that differs from nearby skin in color or texture.

The primary treatment for squamous cell carcinoma of the skin is surgery. Patient may also be treated with topical chemotherapy as well cryotherapy, which involves killing cancer cells with extreme cold. Clinical trials may be an option for patients whose disease has spread.

Learn more about skin cancer:

Skin Cancer Resources

What happens when you get a sunburn

Sunburn causes skin sensations that many of us are all too familiar with: stinging, burning, blistering, peeling, and, of course, that hallmark redness.

But why does sunburn happen? And are there any health risks that last after a sunburn has faded?

Dermatologist Saira George, M.D., answers these questions and shares how to prevent and treat a sunburn.

How your skin changes during a sunburn

Often, burns are associated with heat sources like flames or stoves. But did you know that it’s not actually the sun’s heat that causes sunburn?

Instead, George explains that ultraviolet radiation is responsible for sunburn.

“Sunburns are from ultraviolet radiation – or UV rays – causing damage to the skin,” she says.

When ultraviolet radiation from the sun reaches the skin, it damages the skin cells and causes mutations in their DNA.

“Our bodies have a lot of amazing mechanisms to prevent and even correct these mutations,” George says. “But if the skin cells get more UV exposure than they can handle, the damage may be beyond repair, and the cells die off. Blood vessels dilate to increase blood flow and bring immune cells to the skin to help clean up the mess. All this causes the redness, swelling and inflammation we associate with a sunburn.”

The sunburn will eventually heal, but some of the surviving cells will have mutations that escape repair. These cells could eventually become cancerous.

Cancers caused by sun damage

UV damage plays a central role in the development of the three most common skin cancers, George says.

These include:

She also notes that UV damage is linked to less common skin cancers, including:

Merkel cell carcinoma
Angiosarcoma
Atypical fibroxanthoma

Tell your doctor about sun-related skin changes

After you get a sunburn, make note of any changes to your skin. Your doctor or dermatologist can examine these changes and recommend skin cancer screening, if needed.

“Anything that deviates from your normal skin that happens when you are in the sun or develops in an area that has received a lot of sun may be worth mentioning,” George says.

Tell your doctor about sun-related skin conditions such as:

Rashes that develop in the sun
Unusual growths in areas that have been sunburned or get a lot of sun
New or growing spots that heal slowly, bleed or don’t look or behave like other spots on the skin

How to treat a sunburn

Sometimes, despite our best efforts, sunburns happen.

While it isn’t possible to reverse sun damage, there are ways you can protect and soothe your skin while it heals, George says.

Protect your skin

First, use sun protection to prevent additional sun damage to your skin as it heals.

Additionally, avoid exposing your sunburn to heat, harsh chemicals or friction.

Soothe your skin

Sunburn can be painful. To ease discomfort, George suggests applying cool compresses, calamine lotion or aloe-vera gel to the sunburned area.

If your skin is peeling or blistered, George recommends coating it with ointments like Vaseline, which she says can act like an “ointment bandage.”

Still not feeling relief? Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory pain medications like ibuprofen can reduce pain and inflammation.

What to know about reversing sun damage

Sun damage can also cause cosmetic changes such as sunspots, wrinkles and redness, George says.

Some beauty products claim they can reverse sun damage or even stimulate cell repair. But no research has shown that any topical skin care product or lotion can reverse sun damage.

“There’s no simple way to undo sun damage yet. But there are lots of simple ways to prevent it by being sun-safe and avoiding sunburns,” George says.

However, while skin damage can’t be undone on a cellular level, there are procedures that can make it less noticeable.

“A lot of cosmetic concerns can also be addressed with your cosmetic provider if they are bothersome to you,” she notes.