Actinic Keratosis (3)

Question 1

What is this?

What are its risk factors?

What is the main complication of concern here?

Answer 1

➊ Pre-cancerous, scaly lesion found on sun-damaged areas of the body.

➋ * Living in sunny areas
* Pale
* Hx of prolonged sun exposure/sunbed use
* Immunosuppresion

➌ Progression to a squamous cell carcinoma

Question 2

What are its clinical features?

Answer 2

• 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

Question 3

When should it be treated more aggresively?

How is it managed?

Answer 3

➊ If thick, tender, ulcerated, or enlarging

➋ * Cryotherapy, Shaving, Currerage, Electrocautery, Excision
* Creams e.g. Imiquimod