The evaluation of squamous cell carcinoma begins with a history and physical exam.

Physical findings in someone with a squamous cell carcinoma may include changes in a skin lesion:

• Asymmetric:
• One side of a skin lesion does not look like the other
• Bleeding or cracking around a skin lesion
• Irregular border around a skin lesion
• Inconsistent coloration of a skin lesion
• Mixed color of a skin lesion
• Rapid change in size or shape
• Rapid change in color, such as black
• Size larger than 6 mm (about the size of a pencil eraser)

The diagnosis of a squamous cell carcinoma requires a skin biopsy.

Tests that may be used to evaluate a squamous cell carcinoma include:

• Bone scan
• Chest x-ray
• CT scanning of the brain
• CT scanning of the abdomen
• CT scan of the chest