Actinic keratosis is a precancerous growth on the skin.
Alternative NamesSolar keratosis; Sun-induced skin changes - keratosis; Keratosis - actinic (solar)
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsActinic keratosis is caused by sun exposure.
Risk factors for actinic keratosis include:
The skin lesion may be easier to feel than to see.
Signs and testsThe health care provider makes the diagnosis based on the appearance of the skin growth. A skin biopsy may reveal any cancerous changes, if they occur.
TreatmentBecause actinic keratoses are precancerous changes, have them examined promptly. Follow your health care provider's advice for treatment.
Growths may be removed by:
Growths may also be treated with medications that cause the skin to peel or come off. More recently, lasers and other light sources have been used to treat actinic keratoses.
Creams such as 5-fluorouracil and imiquimod are used for people who have many lesions. These creams usually cause irritation and redness.
Expectations (prognosis)Actinic keratosis itself is benign (harmless), but it may on rare occasions develop into skin cancer.
Removal of the growth is usually effective.
ComplicationsCall for an appointment with your health care provider if areas of persistent roughness or scaliness develop in sun-exposed skin.
PreventionReduce sun exposure and protect your skin from the sun:
Other important sun safety facts to keep in mind:
de Berker D, McGregor JM, Hughes BR. Guidelines for the management of actinic keratoses. Br J Dermatol. 2007;156:222-230.
Ibrahim SF, Brown MD. Actinic keratoses. In: Lebwohl M, ed. Treatment of Skin Disease: Comprehensive Therapeutic Strategies. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2009.
Actinic keratosis is a small, rough, raised area found on skin that has been in the sun for a long period of time.
Some actinic keratoses may develop into a type of skin cancer.
Alternative NamesSolar keratosis; Sun-induced skin changes - keratosis; Keratosis - actinic (solar)
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsActinic keratosis is caused by being in sunlight.
You are more likely to develop this if you:
Actinic keratosis is usually found on the face, scalp, back of the hands, chest, or other sun-exposed areas.
Your doctor or nurse can diagnose this condition by looking at your skin. A skin biopsy may be sometimes be done to see if it is cancer.
TreatmentSome actinic keratoses becomeo squamous cell skin cancer. That's why you should have all skin growths looked at by a doctor as soon as you find them. Your doctor will tell you how to treat it.
Growths may be removed by:
If you have many, your doctor may recommend:
A small number of these skin growths turn into skin cancer.
ComplicationsCall your health care provider if you see or feel a rough or scaly spot on your skin, or if you notice any other skin changes.
PreventionYou can prevent this condition by protecting your skin from sunlight.
Other important sun safety facts:
Habif TP, ed. Clinical Dermatology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier;2009:pp 812-818.
Ibrahim SF, Brown MD. Actinic keratoses. In: Lebwohl M, ed. Treatment of Skin Disease: Comprehensive Therapeutic Strategies. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2009.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 11/22/2011
Kevin Berman, MD, PhD, Atlanta Center for Dermatologic Disease, Atlanta, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
Actinic Keratosis is a type of precancer that can cause visible lesions on skin. If you have Actinic Keratosis, then you have sustained sun damage and could potentially develop skin cancer.
The plural form of "actinic keratosis" is "actinic keratoses".
The main risk of actinic keratosis is of skin cancer. This mainly has to do with the fact that actinic keratosis is caused by sun damage to skin, as is most skin cancer.
Actinic keratosis is not used for anything. It is a medical condition, a growth on the skin that may be a precursor to skin cancer. Actinic keratosis a dry, rough patch located on parts of the skin that are regularly exposed to the sun.
Actinic keratosis is a small, raised area on one's skin that has usually been exposed to the sun for a fairly long time. Actinic keratosis can lead to a type of skin cancer, usually prevalent in older people.
Up to 2 million people a year are treated for actinic keratosis. This treatment is required because the condition refers to precancerous spots on the skin.
Squamous cell carcinoma in-situ arising hypertrophic actinic keratosis with associated cutansous horn is a skin cancer.
Actinic keratosis
An actinic keratosis is a small, rough spot on the skin. It is usually reddish with a white or yellow scab on top and measuring about 2-6 millimeters in diameter. It most often occurs in people who have been exposed to the sun a lot.
Pre-cancerous skin lesions, actinic keratosis, should be treated by a doctor. Options include freezing or burning it off, or the application of topical creams that will cause it to fall off. Follow up visits to check for recurrence are a good idea.
Dysplasia is the medical term meaning precancerous lesionscervical dysplasia
I just had a lichenoid keratosis removed by a plastic surgeon. My dematologist said it looked like a squamous cell carcinoma, which I have had on the same leg. For that reason alone, I had it removed. It came back as benign, however, I have been reading that a lichenoid keratosis is like a pre-cancerous actinic keratosis, which can turn into cancer. I am happy it is gone.