Which skin cancer is more serious than basal cell carcinoma and presents as scaly red papules or nodules?

• A. Basal Cell Carcinoma
• B. Melanoma
• C. Squamous Cell Carcinoma
• D. Eczema

Answer: (C)

Squamous cell carcinoma is more serious than basal cell carcinoma because it has a higher chance of invading deeper tissues and spreading to lymph nodes or other parts of the body. It commonly appears as a scaly red patch or plaque, or as a firm nodule that may crust, ulcerate, or bleed. This pattern matches the description in the question and reflects its more aggressive behavior compared with basal cell carcinoma, which usually looks like a pearly, waxy bump with telangiectasia and tends to grow slowly without spreading. Melanoma typically presents as a changing pigmented lesion with irregular borders and multiple colors, and eczema is an inflammatory skin condition, not a cancer.