Here is a squamous cell carcinoma on the posterior aspect of the external ear. This lesion has a rough irregular brown surface. It invades into the underlying cartilage. Squamous cell carcinomas may arise in sun-exposed skin. The surrounding skin may show actinic keratoses (premalignant actinic change from sun damage to the epidermis). These lesions typically grow and invade slowly over time and rarely metastasize.