he lesion caused by SCC is often asymptomatic
Ulcer or reddish skin plaque that is slow growing
Intermittent bleeding from the tumor, especially on the lip
The clinical appearance is highly variable
Usually the tumor presents as an ulcerated lesion with hard, raised edges
The tumor may be in the form of a hard plaque or a papule, often with an opalescent quality, with tiny blood vessels
The tumor can lie below the level of the surrounding skin, and eventually ulcerates and invades the underlying tissue
The tumor commonly presents on sun-exposed areas (e.g. back of the hand, scalp, lip, and superior surface of pinna)
On the lip, the tumor forms a small ulcer, which fails to heal and bleeds intermittently
Evidence of chronic skin photodamage, such as multiple actinic keratoses (solar keratoses)
The tumor grows relatively slowly
Unlike basal-cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous-cell carcinoma (SCC) has a substantial risk of metastasis
Risk of metastasis is higher in SCC arising in scars, on the lower lips or mucosa, and occurring in immunosuppressed patients.