Individuals most affected by SCC, as well as other forms of skin cancer, are those with fair skin and a history of sunburns. These people lack the pigmentation that protects them from damaging ultraviolet rays. Causes The greatest risk for SCC occurs in light-skinned individuals with excessive sun exposure. The DNA contains the genetic blueprint and once the genetic blueprint is altered, all subsequent cellular division duplicates the defect. The defective cells multiply rapidly and cause a tumor to form.
Additional factors can be significant, depending on the individual.
In addition, SCC is more likely to develop in chronic ulcers and in burn scars and other scar tissue. Scar SCC usually develops years after the original injury. Individuals who are chronically immunosuppressed, such as by medication or disease, are predisposed to the development of skin cancer as well. It becomes invasive when it penetrates through the epidermis and into the dermis. The lesions appear as pink, rough, scaly patches or nodules that have a tendency to bleed.