Squamous cell carcinoma is a common variant of skin cancer. Metastases are rare but may occur in 2-5% of patients.

Risk factors include:

• excessive exposure to sunlight / psoralen UVA therapy
• actinic keratoses and Bowen's disease
• immunosuppression e.g. following renal transplant, HIV
• smoking
• long-standing leg ulcers (Marjolin's ulcer)
• genetic conditions e.g. xeroderma pigmentosum, oculocutaneous albinism

Features

• typically on sun-exposed sites such as the head and neck or dorsum of the hands and arms
• rapidly expanding painless, ulcerate nodules
• may have a cauliflower-like appearance
• there may be areas of bleeding

Image gallery