Squamous cell carcinoma tends to manifested, firstly, by flat reddish patches with a scaly brownish contour. When you scratch the lesion, it tends to bleed. Later, a growing bump that may have a rough, scaly surface can be formed. The parts of the skin most often affected by the tumor are sun-exposed areas: upper lip, scalp, external ear, back of hands and forearms, the ends of the feet and genitals.
In general, the appearance of the tumor is more or less rounded, regular or bumpy. Sometimes, the tumor is ulcerated. White-yellowish appearance can also develop on the edges.
Here are some guidelines that can help you differentiate a squamous cell carcinoma lesion from other less serious skin problems:
- the tumor develops in a pre-existing scar or ulcer
- the tumor commonly presents on sun-exposed areas
- the tumor bleeds intermittent, and does not want to heal
- the tumor has hard, raised edges
- the tumor grows relatively slowly
- clinical appearance of the tumor is highly variable
- the tumor tend to lie below the level of the surrounding skin
- development of a flat and white patch inside your mouth
- Occurrence of a sudden firm and red nodule on your face, lower lip, ears, neck, hands or arms.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma Risk Factors Squamous Cell Carcinoma Complications