Phil Robertson was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma in 2010

Phil Robertson, the patriarch of the Duck Dynasty family and founder of Duck Commander, was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma — a type of skin cancer — in 2010. He was 64 years old at the time. Robertson underwent surgery to remove the cancer and has spoken publicly about his diagnosis and recovery in interviews and on his show.

Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common form of skin cancer in the United States. It develops in the thin, flat cells that make up the outer layer of skin. Unlike melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma typically grows slowly and is highly treatable when caught and removed early, which appears to have been Robertson's case.

Key Takeaways

  • Phil Robertson was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma, a common type of skin cancer, in 2010 when he was 64 years old.
  • He underwent surgery to remove the cancer and has publicly discussed his diagnosis and treatment.
  • Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common skin cancer and has a high survival rate when treated early.
  • Robertson's case highlights the importance of skin checks and early detection, particularly for people who spend significant time outdoors.

What squamous cell carcinoma is and how it develops

Squamous cell carcinoma arises from squamous cells, which are the flat cells that form the outer layer of your skin. These cancers typically appear as firm, red bumps, scaly patches, or sores that may bleed or crust over. They most often develop on areas of skin that receive regular sun exposure — the face, ears, neck, hands, and forearms — though they can occur anywhere on the body.

The primary cause is cumulative ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or tanning beds. People who work outdoors for many years, spend significant leisure time in the sun, or have a history of sunburns face higher risk. Robertson's outdoor lifestyle as a hunter and outdoorsman likely contributed to his diagnosis. Other risk factors include fair skin, advanced age, a weakened immune system, and previous skin cancer.

How squamous cell carcinoma is treated

The standard treatment for squamous cell carcinoma is surgical removal. A dermatologist or surgeon removes the cancerous tissue along with a margin of healthy skin around it to ensure all cancer cells are gone. This is typically done as an outpatient procedure under local anesthesia, meaning the patient goes home the same day.

For small, low-risk tumors caught early — as Robertson's appears to have been — surgery alone is often curative. Other treatment options exist for more advanced cases or when surgery is not suitable, including radiation therapy, topical medications, or chemotherapy, but these are less common for early-stage squamous cell carcinoma. Robertson's recovery and continued public appearances suggest his surgery was successful with no need for additional treatment.

Survival rates and long-term outlook for squamous cell carcinoma

Squamous cell carcinoma has one of the highest survival rates among all cancers when detected and treated early. The five-year survival rate for localized squamous cell carcinoma — cancer that has not spread — is approximately 95 percent or higher. This means the vast majority of people diagnosed at an early stage remain cancer-free five years after treatment.

The outlook becomes less favorable if the cancer has spread to lymph nodes or distant organs at the time of diagnosis, but this is uncommon because squamous cell carcinoma typically grows slowly and is often caught before it spreads. Robertson's public health and continued activity since his 2010 diagnosis align with these favorable statistics for early-stage disease.

Why Robertson's case matters for public awareness

Robertson's willingness to discuss his cancer diagnosis publicly helped raise awareness about skin cancer among his audience. His case demonstrates that squamous cell carcinoma can affect anyone, regardless of public profile or lifestyle success, and that early detection and treatment lead to good outcomes.

Because squamous cell carcinoma is so common — more than one million cases are diagnosed in the United States each year — many people will encounter it either personally or through someone they know. Robertson's openness about his experience reduced stigma and encouraged others to have suspicious skin growths checked by a doctor rather than ignoring them.

Screening and prevention for skin cancer

The best approach to squamous cell carcinoma is prevention through sun protection. This includes wearing broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, seeking shade during peak sun hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.), wearing protective clothing and hats, and avoiding tanning beds. People with a history of sun exposure or fair skin should perform monthly self-checks of their skin, looking for new growths, changes in existing moles or spots, or sores that do not heal.

Annual skin checks by a dermatologist are recommended for people at higher risk, including those over 50, those with a personal or family history of skin cancer, or those with significant sun exposure history. Early detection makes treatment simpler, less invasive, and more likely to be curative — as Robertson's case illustrates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is squamous cell carcinoma life-threatening?

Squamous cell carcinoma is rarely life-threatening when caught early and treated with surgery. Most cases are cured with a single surgical removal. The risk increases if the cancer is left untreated for a long time or spreads to lymph nodes or other parts of the body, but this is uncommon because the cancer grows slowly.

Can squamous cell carcinoma come back after surgery?

Recurrence is possible but uncommon — roughly 5 to 10 percent of treated squamous cell carcinomas return in the same location or nearby. Regular skin checks after treatment help catch any recurrence early. People who have had one squamous cell carcinoma are at higher risk of developing another skin cancer elsewhere, so ongoing sun protection and monitoring remain important.

What is the difference between squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma?

Melanoma develops from pigment-producing cells and is more aggressive, spreading faster and deeper into the skin. Squamous cell carcinoma grows more slowly and is less likely to spread. Both are serious, but melanoma requires more intensive treatment and has a lower survival rate if not caught early. Squamous cell carcinoma has a much higher cure rate.

Why did Phil Robertson get skin cancer?

Robertson spent decades outdoors as a hunter and outdoorsman, exposing his skin to cumulative UV radiation from the sun. This is the primary cause of squamous cell carcinoma. Fair-skinned individuals and those over 60 also face higher risk. His diagnosis reflects the reality that anyone with significant sun exposure can develop skin cancer, regardless of overall health or lifestyle.