From the Guidelines
The medical term for pre-skin cancer is actinic keratosis (AK), also sometimes called solar keratosis. These are rough, scaly patches on the skin that develop from years of sun exposure and have the potential to progress to squamous cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer. Actinic keratoses typically appear on sun-exposed areas like the face, lips, ears, scalp, shoulders, neck, and backs of hands. Treatment options include cryotherapy (freezing with liquid nitrogen), topical medications (such as 5-fluorouracil, imiquimod, or diclofenac), photodynamic therapy, chemical peels, or laser therapy. Early treatment is important as approximately 5-10% of actinic keratoses can develop into skin cancer if left untreated 1. Prevention involves sun protection measures including wearing broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30+), protective clothing, wide-brimmed hats, and avoiding peak sun hours. Regular skin examinations by a dermatologist are recommended for those with actinic keratoses to monitor for changes and detect any progression to skin cancer early. Some key points to consider in the management of actinic keratoses include:
- The importance of sun protection in preventing the development of actinic keratoses and skin cancer 1
- The various treatment options available for actinic keratoses, including topical medications and procedural treatments like cryotherapy and photodynamic therapy 1
- The need for regular skin examinations to monitor for changes and detect any progression to skin cancer early 1
- The potential for actinic keratoses to develop into squamous cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer, if left untreated 1
From the Research
Definition of Preskin Cancer
The medical term for preskin cancer is actinic keratosis (AK).
- Actinic keratosis is a precancerous skin lesion that can develop into cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- It is characterized by atypical keratinocytes in the skin's outer layer and is commonly found in sun-exposed areas 5, 6.
Characteristics of Actinic Keratosis
- Actinic keratosis is defined at the histologic level by dysplasia and consists of keratinocytes manifesting atypical nuclei that are enlarged, irregular, and hyperchromatic 5.
- The degree and extent of keratinocytic atypia vary in these lesions, and the atypical keratinocytes show enlarged nuclei with hyperchromasia, dyskeratosis, and mitoses in any layer of the epidermis 5.
Risk Factors and Treatment
- The primary risk factor for actinic keratosis is cumulative UV exposure from sunlight and/or tanning salons 2, 4, 5.
- Treatment for actinic keratosis includes cryosurgery, electrodesiccation and curettage, chemotherapeutic creams, photodynamic therapy, or topical immune-modulators 4, 6.
- Genomic studies have identified genetic aberrations in actinic keratosis, with common mutations found in genes like TP53, NOTCH1, and NOTCH2 6.