Actinic Keratosis

This is a pre-cancerous, scaly lesion found on sun-damaged areas of the body.

Risk factors:

• Pale

• History of prolonged sun exposure/sun-bed use

• Immunosuppression

The main complication of concern here is that it can progress to a squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).

Presentation

• Often multiple lesions found on the sun-exposed areas - commonly the ears, face, back of hands, head

• Flat or thickened papule/plaque

• White/yellow - scaly or wart-like surface

• Skin coloured, red, or pigmented

• Can be tender

Management

It's treated more aggresively when it's either thick, tender, ulcerated, or enlarging.

Options include Cryotherapy, Shaving, Currerage, Electrocautery, Excision Creams e.g. Imiquimod