Medical Encyclopedia

Medical Encyclopedia

Squamous cell carcinoma - invasive

Squamous cell carcinoma - invasive

This irregular red nodule is an invasive squamous cell carcinoma (a form of skin cancer). Initial appearance, shown here, may be very similar to a noncancerous growth called a keratoacanthoma. Squamous cell cancers can metastasize (spread) and should be removed surgically as soon as they are diagnosed.

Update Date: 1/22/2008

Updated by: Michael Lehrer, M.D., Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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