| What is keratoses? | • Although actinic keratosis is not a skin cancer, it is
considered to be precancerous
• If these lesions are not treated, they can develop
into squamous cell carcinomas
• People with actinic keratosis are more likely to
develop other types of skin cancer such as basal
cell carcinoma and melanoma
• So we have to treat all actinic keratoses, since it is
impossible to know which ones will turn into skin
cancer |
| How is clinical presentation of keratoses? | • Actinic keratoses are in the form of reddish
patches, rough and scaly
• These lesions appear in places exposed to the
sun, such as the face, ears, bald scalp, back of
the hands, forearms and legs
• Most patients have more than one, and stains
can sting or burn. Some actinic keratoses
appear on the lower lip |
| What are risk factors for keratoses? | • Light-skinned people who often have freckles
and burn quickly are most at risk
• The over 40s who have been exposed to the
sun are also at a greater risk of actinic
keratosis, as are people who work outside
because of their intense exposure to the sun
• Too much exposure to the sun for many years
eventually halts the development of
keratinocytes in the outer layers of the
epidermis
• UV rays from the sun damage the skin's DNA,
which causes this abnormal cell growth
(dysplasia) |
| How is tx of keratoses? | • Cryotherapy: This involves freezing the lesion with
liquid nitrogen
• There are also various creams that destroy
precancerous cells: imiquimod, 5 FU
• Surgery should be used to remove the lesion or to take
a biopsy to see if it has developed into skin cancer
• There are also other treatments by area, including
various modalities of light treatment such as dynamic
phototherapy (PDT)
• Indication according to the number of lesions, their
location, the age and the general state |
| How is prevention from keratoses? | • Protect the skin from the sun
• Regular use of sunscreen, even in cloudy weather, can help prevent the onset of actinic keratoses
• Avoid using tanning beds or other similar devices: the
lamps used in these devices emit ultraviolet rays that may
be more intense than the sun's rays
• Other sun protection methods are important: looking for
shade and wearing a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and
protective clothing
• Patients with signs of skin damage caused by the sun (deep wrinkles, aging) or who have already had actinic keratosis should be monitored regularly to see if new lesions appear |
