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A member asked:
Is melanoma the same as actinic keratosis?
14 doctors weighed in across 5 answers
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.
Answered 12/30/2016
6.3k views
No: Although ak's are precancerous, they progress to squamous cell cancers. If you have one or more ak's it doesn't mean you have or will get cancer but it does mean you should keep an eye out for akin lesions and see your doctor/derm regularly.. Best wishes.
Answered 1/18/2012
6.2k views
NO: Actinic keratosis (ak) and melanoma are both skin diseases chiefly a result of sun exposure, but they arise from different skin cell types. Ak is a premalignant condition of the keratinocyte skin cells (non-pigmented meaning not producing pigments/color). If left untreated, ak can progress to squamous cell skin cancer. Melanoma arises from melanocyte skin cells (pigment/color producing cells).
Answered 9/11/2014
5.9k views
No: Melanoma is a malignant cancer. Actinic keratosis is a pre-malignant condition.
Answered 4/3/2013
5.2k views
No: These are two different skin conditions.
Answered 5/26/2015
2.8k views
Related Questions
A member asked:
Is seborrheic keratosis a malignant skin cancer tumor?
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A member asked:
Is a seborrheic keratosis is a malignant skin cancer tumor or benign?
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People also searched for:
Squamous cell skin cancer or actinic keratosis? Im confused. My doctor said I have actinic keratosis. Then he started talking about squamous cell skin cancer and how to treat it. So, do I have skin cancer or not?
Is seborrheic keratosis that is focally pigmented and inflamed more like a regular seborrheic keratosis or does it possess features more consistent with melanoma? Pigmented keratinocytes Monomorphous basaloid cells?
How is a seborrheic keratosis that is focally pigmented & inflamed treated & is it different from a regular seborrheic keratosis? This particular one has monomorphous basaloid cells & cornified pseudocysts & unusual nevus. Is it treated as melanoma??
I had a biopsy & received a Dx with several notes attached. Dx Seborrheic keratosis but focally pigmented and inflamed. Notes included epidermal hyperplasia with pigmented keratinocytes broad rete ridges monomorphous basaloid cells. Is this melanoma?
I did skin test but still concerned i have 2 slight raised moles! Does melanoma be like that? Or more like keratosis? Its not itchy ive noticed a year ago been using self tan spray does it affect the color?cause the color is more obvious now?
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