An overview of actinic keratosis: Symptoms, treatment and prevention from the National Library of Medicine
Actinic keratosis is a precancerous growth on the skin. Causes: Actinic keratosis is caused by sun exposure. It occurs most commonly in fair skin, especially in the elderly and in young people who have light skin. Symptoms: Rough and dry skin lesion; Patch or growth on the skin: Limited to one area (localized); Located on the face, scalp, back of the hands, chest, or other sun-exposed areas; Gray, pink, red (erythematous), or the same color as the skin; Begins as flat and scaly areas; Later develops a hard and wart-like or gritty, rough, and "sandpapery" surface -- may develop a horn-like texture. The skin lesion may be easier to feel than to see....more from MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
Actinic Keratosis: The most common precancer from The skin Cancer Foundation
More Than Ten Million. This figure is generally accepted as the best current estimate of the number of Americans with actinic keratosis (AK). People with a fair complexion, blond or red hair, and blue, green or grey eyes have a high likelihood of developing one or more of these common precancers if they spend time in the sun and live long enough. Location makes a difference: The closer to the equator you live, the more likely you are to have actinic keratoses....more from The Skin Cancer Foundation.
Information on Actinic Keratosis from the University of Maryland Medical Center
Actinic keratosis is caused by sun exposure. It occurs most commonly in fair skin, especially in the elderly and in young people who have light skin…Read more at the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Information on Actinic Keratosis from Dermis.net
Actinic keratosis is formed of abnormal cells which are confined to the top layer of the skin (epidermis). Actinic keratoses usually develop in skin areas that are exposed to sun such as face, scalp, ears, arms, and hands. They are red, scaly areas which feel rough to the touch...Read more at Dermis.net.
Video: Actinic Keratosis
With more than one million cases diagnosed annually, skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed form of cancer. The good news is that skin cancer can generally be successfully treated if diagnosed early. Early diagnosis is often possible because there are warning signs that may appear before cancer actually begins to develop. One of these warning signs is actinic keratosis (AK)—a skin condition that is believed to be a precursor to certain types of skin cancer. View a video about Actinic Keratosis presented by the Skin Cancer Foundation.
Guidelines for the management of actinic keratoses.
Many options are open to patients with actinic keratoses (AKs). The natural history of individual lesions studied in the United Kingdom suggests that treatment is not universally required on the basis of preventing progression into squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). However, others feel that prevention of SCC is the main reason for therapy. Some AKs have histological features within the spectrum of in-situ skin cancer. They can also represent a cause of symptoms and disfigurement which may be the main determinant of treatment choices. Clinical judgment should discern which lesions are more likely to represent a risk to the patient's health... See National Guideline Clearinghouse major recommendations.
Abstract: Crossroads between actinic keratosis and squamous cell carcinoma, and novel pharmacological issues.
Actinic keratoses (AKs) and their derived squamous cell carcinomas are distinctive lesions forming a continuum in a multi-step carcinogenesis process. They are typically found on chronically sun exposed skin. AKs merit to be recognized as such and to be distinguished from squamous cell carcinomas both conceptually and for therapeutic implications. The histological differences between these lesions are well defined and should not be blurred. A brief review is presented about the biological features responsible for AKs and the clinicopathologically distinctive aspects of these lesions. In addition, recent findings are presented about pharmacotherapy using anti-epidermal growth factor receptors, imidazoquinolines, diclofenac-hyaluronan, and methyl aminolevulinate photodynamic therapy. Full text available free through PubMed.
Abstract: Actinic keratoses.
Actinic keratoses (AK) commonly occur in the caucasian population living in environments of high levels of sun exposure, and are considered to be a marker for chronic sun damage. This article reviews the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and current debate on AK as precancerous lesions. The various treatment options for AK, including combination therapy, are also discussed. Full text available free through PubMed.
Abstract: Actinic keratosis: how to differentiate the good from the bad ones?
Our objective was to obtain practical clinical parameters to indicate those actinic keratoses (AK) that are at risk of becoming invasive. A systematic review of the literature, with focus on randomized trials, retrospective studies and reviews was undertaken. The main outcome measure was the rates and clinical features of AK that transformed into SCC. This study reviewed randomized and retrospective studies and reviews of AK and their risk of becoming SCC. Full text available free through PubMed.
Abstract: Review of photodynamic therapy in actinic keratosis and basal cell carcinoma.
The number of non-melanoma skin cancers is increasing worldwide, and so also the demand for effective treatment modalities. Topical photodynamic therapy (PDT) using aminolaevulinic acid or its methyl ester has recently become good treatment options for actinic keratosis and basal cell carcinoma; especially when treating large areas and areas with field cancerization. The cure rates are usually good, and the cosmetic outcomes excellent. The only major side effect reported is the pain experienced by the patients during treatment. This review covers the fundamental aspects of topical PDT and its application for treatment of actinic keratosis and basal cell carcinoma. Both potentials and limitations will be reviewed, as well as some recent development within the field. Full text available free through PubMed.
Abstract: Ultraviolet radiation: sun exposure, tanning beds, and vitamin D levels. What you need to know and how to decrease the risk of skin cancer.
This year, more than one million new cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed in the United States and an estimated 9800 individuals will die of the disease. Despite recent public education efforts and increased public awareness about the importance of the use of sunscreen and avoidance of ultraviolet radiation, the incidence of melanoma has more than tripled among white Americans from 1980 to 2001. This increase in cancer rates means that one person dies of melanoma in this country every hour of every day. The answer to this increasing problem is not a simple one, but public education seems to be a common starting point. The American Cancer Society and the American Academy of Dermatology have published recommendations with regard to sun exposure and sunscreen use. However, patients often ask questions that are not as easily answered. Questions such as, Which sunscreens are the safest? Are tanning beds safe? If I limit my sun exposure, do I need to take vitamin D supplements? If I tanned as a teenager, is the damage already done? How do I treat sunburn? Full text available free through PubMed.
Abstract: Update on sunscreens.
Sunscreens have been around for more than 70 years. Designed originally to protect against sunburn, recognition of the various harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation has broadened the use of sunscreens. The addition of effective UVA sunscreen agents has enabled claims beyond protection against sunburn to include prevention of idiopathic photodermatosis, actinic keratoses, skin cancer, and photoaging. This article will review some of the recent advances in photoprotection, including the development of sunscreen formulations offering higher and broader protection against solar radiation. Full text available free through PubMed.
Abstract: The influence of painful sunburns and lifetime sun exposure on the risk of actinic keratoses, seborrheic warts, melanocytic nevi, atypical nevi, and skin cancer.
Painful sunburns are implicated in the pathogenesis of squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, and malignant melanoma. Chronic exposure to ultraviolet radiation is known as the most important risk factor for the development of actinic keratoses and squamous cell carcinoma. The purpose of the study was to assess the effect of painful sunburns and lifetime sun exposure on the development of actinic keratoses and seborrheic warts in relation to the development of squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma, and on the development of melanocytic nevi and atypical nevi in relation to the development of malignant melanoma. Full text available free through PubMed.
Abstract: Reduction of solar keratoses by regular sunscreen use.
BACKGROUND. The incidence of and mortality from skin cancer are increasing in many countries. In view of the added concern about ozone depletion, many organizations are promoting the regular use of sunscreens to prevent skin cancer, despite the absence of evidence that these products have this effect. Solar (actinic) keratosis is a precursor of squamous-cell carcinoma of the skin. METHODS. We conducted a randomized, controlled trial of the effect on solar keratoses of daily use of a broad-spectrum sunscreen cream with a sun-protection factor of 17 in 588 people 40 years of age or older in Australia during one summer (September 1991 to March 1992). Full text available free through PubMed.
Abstract: Sun exposure and vitamin D sufficiency.
Ultraviolet radiation is a carcinogen that also compromises skin appearance and function. Because the ultraviolet action spectra for DNA damage, skin cancer, and vitamin D(3) photosynthesis are identical and vitamin D is readily available from oral supplements, why has sun protection become controversial? Full text available free through PubMed.
Abstract: Cutaneous precancers in organ transplant recipients: an old enemy in a new surrounding.
Premalignant and malignant epithelial lesions are acknowledged as being the most frequent neoplasia in long-term immunosuppressed patients such as organ-transplant recipients. Paralleling the constant improvement in modern transplant techniques, their incidence increases together with the growing survival time post-transplantation, reaching 40% to 60% after 20 years. Against the background of lifelong immunosuppression, the impact of accepted cancer inducers and promoters such as ultraviolet radiation, oncogenic viruses and individual susceptibility has to be closely scrutinized. Precancerous lesions such as actinic keratoses in transplant patients progress more rapidly into squamous cell carcinomas, showing an increased tendency to metastasize. See Abstract at PubMed.
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