We see and treat every type of skin cancer. However, there are a few skin cancers we see more than others. One of these is called a Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC). SCC’s are usually not life-threatening as they are slow-growing and often caused by excess UV exposure. Because of this, they occur in areas that are exposed to lots of sun such as the face, neck, lips, scalp, ears and hands and are found relatively quickly.
One thing that makes SCCs unique is that they do not have one uniform way of occurring. Rather, they can appear in a variety of ways:
Ways SCCs Appear
- Red Raised spot: This is an early sign of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) on the skin, often seen on lighter skin tones. People who have darker skin tones may see a red, violet, purple, grayish, or dark brown patch
- Open sore (often with a raised border)
- Brown spot that looks like an age spot
- Firm, dome-shaped growth
- Wart-like growth
- Tiny, rhinoceros-shaped horn growing from your skin
- Sore developing in an old scar
Signs that your skin has been damaged include age spots, discolored skin, loss of firmness, and deep wrinkles. SCCs can also appear as a symptom of an HPV infection, so they can also be found in the mouth, nails or genitals. They may not even cause any pain or symptoms. However, any growth like this that isn’t healing or heals and then returns should be examined by a board-certified dermatologist like our team.
The information presented in this blog is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. If you have questions or concerns, please call our office or make an appointment with a medical professional. Savannah River Dermatology is located at 575 Furys Ferry Rd in Augusta, Ga. Our office can be reached at 706-691-7079. Photos used in title slide are taken from the American Academy of Dermatology.
