Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the skin is the most frequent malignant skin tumor, accounting for about 20% of all non-melanocytic skin tumors, and occurs most frequently on sun-exposed sites. Advanced cutaneous SCC develops in 5-20% of patients. Risk factors are tumor thickness > 6 mm, diameter >= 2 cm, histological differentiation > grade 3, desmoplasia, perineural growth, location and immunosuppression. Histological confirmation of clinically suspicious lesions allows prognostic assessment and appropriate treatment. The therapy of choice is surgical resection. Cutaneous SCC can form local recurrences, lymph node metastases and rarely distant metastases. In advanced cutaneous SCC, anti-PD-1 inhibitors (PD-1: programmed cell death protein 1) are a promising approach, which is expected to receive approval soon. As there is no standard treatment, EGFR inhibitors (EGFR: epidermal growth factor receptor) and chemotherapeutics are also used. Follow-up schedules should be based on the respective risk of recurrence.