The BTLA rs16859629 polymorphism increased the risk of the development of squamous cell carcinoma (CC vs. TT: adjusted OR = 9.85, 95%CI = 1.37‐71.03, and P = 0.023; CC vs. TT/TC: adjusted OR = 9.55, 95%CI = 1.32‐68.66, and P = 0.025). Here, BTLA is linked to squamous cell carcinoma.