Squamous cell carcinoma usually first appears as:
a red, scaly, sometimes crusty plaque of skin that may get bigger and develop a sore
a red, hard domed bump that won’t go away
a wart-like growth that may bleed or crust
The growths may also be pink and dry and may itch or burn. Squamous cell carcinoma typically shows up on areas of the skin that are exposed to the sun, such as the face, ears, lips, arms, legs, and tops of hands, but it can also more rarely appear on areas not exposed to the sun including the lower lip, genitals, in the lining of organs and the passages of the respiratory and digestive tracts.