Is squamous cell carcinoma just another name for skin cancer?

Yes: Squamous cell cancer is one of the two most common forms of skin cancer. It arises in the epithelial layers and is more aggressive than basal cell cancer which can remain dormant and slow growing for years without mets. Squamous cell as it grows does become more aggressive and will frequently metastasize to regional lymph nodes which must frequently be removed along with the primary.