The following symptoms and complaints may indicate squamous cell carcinoma of the skin (PEK):
- Inconspicuous, usually skin-colored hyperkeratotic (“highly keratinizing”) papules (nodules) and plaques (areal or squamous substance proliferation of the skin), usually covered with adherent scaling; development into a raised hard tumor by an inflammatory reaction; also possible is a flat ulcer (ulcer) with a raised marginal mound; the tumor is usually yellow-brown in color; it is easily vulnerable but not painful. Note: In dedifferentiation, the tumor may also be erosive and weeping.
- Advanced primary tumors (= advanced squamous cell carcinoma) may present as:
- Ulcerated (“ulcerated”) node, possibly caked with surrounding structures.
- Exophytic tumor ( “growing beyond a surface”).
- Emptying of horn masses is possible
Note: Highly differentiated tumors exhibit smooth surfaces!
Localization
- Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin occurs mainly in light-exposed areas (90% of cases) such as the face, ears and lower lip, as well as forearms and the back of the hands.
- Occurrence on the mucous membranes (oral cavity and tongue; gential area); often difficult to diagnose in the intial stage; much higher risk of metastasis (formation of daughter tumors).
- The 5 most common localizations of squamous cell carcinoma of the skin (PEK).
- Capillitium (hairy scalp) 19%.
- Forehead 10 %
- Ear 10 %
- Preauricular (“in front of the ear”) 11 %.
- Back 10 %
- Sex-specific localizations of squamous cell carcinoma of the skin (PEK) (listed the sex more affected in each case).
Note: Bacterial colonization and superinfection can lead to an overlay of the clinical picture.