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Actinic Keratosis

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A Practical Guide to Skin Cancer

Abstract

Actinic keratosis (AK) is the most common precancerous skin lesion. AKs present on sun-damaged skin as pink to red gritty macules or papules. Patients with numerous AKs are at increased risk of developing skin cancer. AK development represents the initial step in keratinocytes’ progression to squamous cell carcinoma. Patients with numerous AKs are at increased risk of developing skin cancer. Treatment options for AKs include cryosurgery, topical chemotherapies, chemical peels, and laser surgery. Prevention is of utmost importance, including photoprotection such as sun protective clothing and sunscreens.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dermatology, McGovern Medical School, UT Houston, Houston, TX, USA

    Allison Pye

  2. Dermatology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA

    Daniel Wallis

  3. Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center – San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA

    Vineet Mishra

Authors
  1. Allison Pye
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  2. Daniel Wallis
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  3. Vineet Mishra
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Allison Pye .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, Division of Dermatology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA

    Allison Hanlon

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Pye, A., Wallis, D., Mishra, V. (2018). Actinic Keratosis. In: Hanlon, A. (eds) A Practical Guide to Skin Cancer. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-74903-7_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-74903-7_2

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-74901-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-74903-7

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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