Question 1

what are symptoms of actinic keratosis?

Accepted Answer

Actinic Keraotsis: Actinic keratoses arise in chronically sun exposed sites, such as the backs of the hands, forearms and face. They usually present as rough scaly or crusty slightly red bumps on the skin. Sometimes, these lesions can be felt more than they can be seen. A rough patch on a sun exposed area may all that you notice.

Question 2

who is at generally risk for actinic keratosis?

Accepted Answer

H/o sunburns: Actinic keratoses are precancerous lesions caused by excessive sun exposure.  The more sunburns you've had, the more risk of developing ak's.

Question 3

is melanoma the same as actinic keratosis?

Accepted Answer

No.: An actinic keratosis is a premalignant lesion that may progress to develop into a squamous cell carcinoma. A melanoma is a malignant tumor involving the pigment cells (melanocytes) of the skin.

Question 4

do actinic keratosis look similar to basal cell?

Accepted Answer

Sometimes : Squamous cell cancer the scan usually develops in actinic keratosis and they can look similar usually the squamous cell skin cancer is more thick and can bleed. Basal cell skin cancers have an umbilicated indented area in the center often so they usually don’t look like actinic keratosis

Question 5

can actinic keratosis be scraped clearly off by fingers?

Accepted Answer

Many of them can: Same with seborrheic keratoses / basal cell papillomas. However, you'll never get the base where the mutated cells are. Treat them with excision or topical meds that kill the mutated cells.

Question 6

what is bowenoid actinic keratosis? same as bowens disease?

Accepted Answer

Bowen disease: Bowenoid actinic keratosis is in-situ squamous cell carcinoma arising in actinic keratosis. Yes, it is also known as bowen disease. This is the earliest form (stage) of squamous cell skin cancer.

Question 7

what is the best way to remove actinic keratosis (sun spots)?

Accepted Answer

Many ways: I often use liquid nitrogen spray in my office practice. However, depending on the number and size and thickness of the ak's , topical treatments with immunologic agents such as zyclara or Picato (ingenol mebutate) can be used. In the past we also used topical Fluorouracil with success.

Question 8

how long does it take for actinic keratosis to turn into cancer?

Accepted Answer

It varies.: This is the precursor to squamous cell cancer of the skin.  For this to become cancer sooner versus later, it would depend on the susceptability of the person and the exposure to sunlight and other factrors that cause it to become malignant.  If a person has fair skin and is exposed to uv light and ionizing radiation, they are more likely to have any actinic keratosis turn into cancer faster.

Question 9

is actinic keratosis a real problem? can i treat it with aldara (imiquimod)?

Accepted Answer

Yes and Yes: Yes, actinic keratosis is a real problem. It is a premalignant condition caused by sun exposure. If left untreated, actinic keratosis can progress to squamous cell cancer of the skin. Threatments include freezing by liquid nitrogen; 5-FU chemo cream; immune modifier Aldara (imiquimod) cream...

Question 10

how long does it typically take a cancerous actinic keratosis to turn into cancer?

Accepted Answer

Months to years: Actinic keratosis is precancerous.  The full transformation into skin cancer is a result of multiple number of relevant mutations that "tips" it over to become cancerous.  Thus, if an actinic keratosis happens to have most of the mutations except one additional before it turns into skin cancer, it may only take a month of additional uv exposure before that happens.

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Doctor answers about:

Pigmented actinic keratosis

A member asked:

What are symptoms of actinic keratosis?

A member asked:

Who is at generally risk for actinic keratosis?

A member asked:

Is melanoma the same as actinic keratosis?

A member asked:

Do actinic keratosis look similar to basal cell?

A member asked:

Can actinic keratosis be scraped clearly off by fingers?

A member asked:

What is bowenoid actinic keratosis? same as bowens disease?

A member asked:

What is the best way to remove actinic keratosis (sun spots)?

A member asked:

How long does it take for actinic keratosis to turn into cancer?

A member asked:

Is actinic keratosis a real problem? can i treat it with aldara (imiquimod)?

A member asked:

How long does it typically take a cancerous actinic keratosis to turn into cancer?

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