How is actinic keratosis morphology?

➢ usually <1 cm in diameter, tanbrown or red, and rough (sandpaper-like) to the touch ➢ Microscopically, lower portions of the epidermis show cytologic atypia, often associated with hyperplasia of basal cells or with atrophy and diffuse thinning of the epidermal surface. ➢ The dermis contains thickened, blue-gray elastic fibers (solar elastosis), the result of chronic sun damage. ➢ The stratum corneum is thickened and shows abnormal retention of nuclei (parakeratosis). ➢ Uncommonly, full-thickness epidermal atypia is seen; such lesions are considered squamous cell carcinoma in situ