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Cancerous Lesions

Actinic Keratoses

Most common precancerous lesion in humans

Found in:

• People over 40
• Fair skin
• Tan poorly, burn easily
• Sun exposure over years

Sun exposed areas:

Face, ears, forearms, back of hands

1 in 20 of AK’s will develop into Squamous Cell Cancer

Lifetime risk to develop skin cancer in USA:

• 1 in 3 will develop BCC (Basal cell cancer)
• 1 in 10 will develop SCC (Squamous cell cancer)
• 1 in 90 will develop Malignant melanoma
  

Treatment of Actinic Keratoses:

Depends on the number, location and thickness of the lesions.

A few AK’s:

• Liquid nitrogen (cryotherapy)
• Curettage (for thicker lesions)

Multiple AK’s:

• Efudex (5-fluorouracil) topical
• Aldara (Imiquimod 5% cream)
• Photodynamic therapy
• Chemical peels (glycolic, TCA)
• Topical retinoids (Vit. A derivatives)
• Topical Diclofenac
• Dermabrasion and Laser resurfacing