Squamous cell carcinoma
the second most common type of skin cancer
What is it?
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common type of skin cancer and often occurs on the scalp. This happens when skin cells located in the top layer of the skin (squamous cells) overgrow due to DNA damage from exposure to ultraviolet radiation or other sources of damage. SCC is most curable when caught early.
What does it look like on the scalp?
Squamous cell carcinoma can look like rough red/pink patches, thickened skin, wart-like, or raised growth with a central divot. SCCs can bleed, crust, itch, or be painful. They often occur in sun-exposed areas of the skin.
Most importantly, SCCs can look drastically different from person to person, so be sure to see a dermatologist for a professional assessment.
*Image Source Attribution: All images were sourced from DermNet. (https://dermnetnz.org) and VisualDx/Skinsight (with written permission).
How dangerous is it?
Most SCCs can be cured, especially if caught early. However, SCCs can become invasive and disfigure surrounding healthy tissue as well as spread to other parts of the body. SCC can even be deadly, with approximately 15,000 Americans dying every year from it.
