Introduction: squamous cell carcinoma is steadily increasing year after year, representing a major public health challenge. The mortality rates of dermal squamous cell carcinoma are comparable to those of melanoma, renal carcinoma and oropharyngeal carcinoma. Adequate surveillance, early diagnosis and prompt treatment are essential to reduce the risks of morbidity and mortality. Objective: to detail current information related to cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, etiology, epidemiology, pathophysiology, histopathology, examination, evaluation, treatment, differential diagnosis, prognosis and complications. Methodology: a total of 37 articles were analyzed in this review, including review and original articles, as well as clinical cases, of which 25 bibliographies were used because the other articles were not relevant to this study. The sources of information were PubMed, Google Scholar and Cochrane; the terms used to search for information in Spanish, Portuguese and English were: skin cancer, epidermoid carcinoma, squamous cell, clear cell, Mohs surgery, cutaneous carcinoma. Results: cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma has a multifactorial etiology, with UV radiation being the main risk factor. It is the second most common form of skin cancer in the USA, with a higher incidence in men and fair-skinned, older people. The mortality rate is between 1% and 2%, although in some regions it may be comparable to other more aggressive cancers. It originates from keratinocytes and often has mutations in the tp53 gene. There are several histological subtypes with different characteristics and prognoses. Diagnosis is confirmed by biopsy, and staging is performed with systems such as BWH and AJCC-8, with surgical excision being the preferred intervention. Conclusions: cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma represents an important public health problem, emphasizing the need for prevention and sun protection education programs. Early identification and appropriate treatment are crucial to improve prognosis. The diversity of risk factors, together with the variability in histologic subtypes and their clinical behavior, underscores the importance of a personalized approach to care. In addition, rigorous surveillance is essential in immunocompromised patients, who are at significantly increased risk of developing this neoplasm. Finally, continued research and development of new therapies, such as immunotherapeutic agents, promise to improve clinical outcomes and quality of life for affected patients.