Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common skin cancer in Caucasians, most frequently occurring on sun-exposed areas of the body. Most SCCs are treated surgically, either by excision or Mohs micrographic surgery. Despite the large amount of English literature with regard to cutaneous SCC in many instances the surgical treatment is not appropriate resulting in recurrences and/ or metastasis. The following brief review highlights the histology, molecular biology and surgical treatment of skin SCC.