Non-melanoma skin cancers are the most common form of skin cancer worldwide, with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) being the second most common type.1,2 Affecting over 2 million people globally, the incidence of cSCC has seen a dramatic increase of 310% between 1990 and 2017.1,3
cSCC is a type of cancer that starts in the cells of the outer layer of the skin, known as the epidermis (Figure). It typically develops on skin areas that have been exposed to natural or artificial sunlight over long periods of time, including the face, ears, lower lip, neck, arms, and back of the hands. Additionally, it may occur on skin that has been burned or exposed to chemicals or radiation.4
These cancers can appear as5:
Research has established that exposure to sunlight significantly increases the risk of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC).6 cSCC typically appears on sun-exposed areas of the body, such as the face, ears, neck, lips, and backs of the hands, but can also develop in scars or chronic skin sores. Individuals with fair hair, skin, and eye color who have experienced excessive sun exposure are at the highest risk of developing cSCC.7 A strong correlation exists between chronic sun exposure, the number of site-specific sunburns, total site-specific exposure, and the development of cSCC. Consequently, cSCC rates are higher among individuals with outdoor occupations, with the risk increasing with age.
Certain medications can increase the risk of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). These include9:
Additional risk factors include being male, exposure to certain chemicals (arsenic, coal tar, paraffin, certain types of petroleum products), exposure to radiation, previous skin cancer, long-term or severe skin inflammation or injury, and certain genetic syndromes (Epidermolysis bullosa, Fanconi anemia, Muir-Torre syndrome, Rothmund-Thomson syndrome, Bloom syndrome, and Werner syndrome).10
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