What it means
The second most common skin cancer, usually on sun-exposed skin, where it may look like a scaly red patch, a firm bump or a sore that crusts or bleeds. Squamous cells also line the mouth, throat, esophagus, lungs and cervix, so squamous cell carcinoma can start there too, often linked to smoking, alcohol or HPV. It is more likely than basal cell carcinomaBAY-sul SEL kar-sih-NOH-muhThe most common type of skin cancer, which starts in the basal cells at the bottom of the skin's outer layer.Full entry to spread.
For the nurse
Teach sun protection and regular skin checks, and report sores that do not heal. Stopping smoking lowers the risk of cancers of the mouth, throat and lungs.
At a glance
| Abbreviations | SCC |
|---|---|
| Spanish | carcinoma de células escamosas |
| Also written | squamous-cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinomas, SCC |
Related terms
carcinoma
A cancer that starts in the cells that line the skin or the inside and outside surfaces of organs.
cervical cancer
Cancer that starts in the cells of the cervix, the lower, narrow end of the uterus that opens into the vagina.
basal cell carcinoma
The most common type of skin cancer, which starts in the basal cells at the bottom of the skin's outer layer.