What are the symptoms of squamous cell carcinoma?

Symptoms of squamous cell carcinoma include skin changes like:

A rough-feeling, bump or growth, which might crust over like a scab and bleed.

A growth that’s higher than the skin around it but sinks down (depression) in the middle.

A wound or sore that won’t heal, or a sore that heals and then comes back.

An area of skin that’s flat, scaly and red that’s larger, about 1 inch (2.5 centimeters).

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There are cancerous bumps, marks or lesions that form on your skin that can be a sign of squamous cell carcinoma, including:

You can have squamous cell carcinoma on any part of your body, but it’s most common on your:

A mutation to the p53 gene causes squamous cell carcinoma. The most common way that your p53 gene mutates is from ultraviolet (UV) exposure from the sun, or from using indoor tanning beds.

The p53 gene provides instructions for your cells to divide and replicate to replace cells when they reach the end of their lifespan. Your p53 gene is a tumor suppressor, which means that the gene controls how much and how often your cells should create new cells. Too many cells create tumors, which can be cancerous.

A mutation to the p53 gene means that your cells don’t have the instructions they need to do their job correctly. As a result, your squamous cells divide and replicate too often, causing tumors (bumps, lumps or lesions) to form in and on your body.

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma rarely spreads to other parts of your body (metastasize). If this does happen, it occurs slowly and can be life-threatening if left untreated. If you notice changes to your skin, contact your healthcare provider immediately.