Why is it dangerous? Actinic keratosis can be the first step in the development of skin cancer, and, therefore, is a precursor of cancer or a Precancer. It is estimated that up to 10 percent of active lesions, which are redder and more tender than the rest will take the next step and progress to squamous cell carcinomas. They are usually not life threatening, provided they are detected and treated in the early stages. However, if this is not done, they can bled, ulcerate, become infected, or grow large and invade the surrounding tissues and, 3% of the time, will metastasize or spread to the internal organs.

The most aggressive form of keratosis, actinic cheilitis, appears on the lips and can evolve into squamous cell carcinoma. When this happens, roughly one-fifth of these carcinomas metastasizes. The presence of actinic keratoses indicates that sun damage has occurred and that any kind of skin cancer -- not just squamous cell carcinoma can develop. People with actinic keratosis are more likely to develop melanoma also. Sun exposure is the cause of almost all actinic keratoses.

Sun damage to the skin accumulates over time. It is lifetime sun exposure, not recent sun-tanning that adds to your risk. Ultraviolet rays bounce off sand, snow, and other reflective surfaces; about 80 percent can pass through clouds. The thinning of the ozone layer may be allowing more ultraviolet rays reach the earth. People who have fair skin, blonde or red hair, blue, green, or gray eyes are at the greatest risk. Because their skin has less protective pigment, they are the most susceptible to sunburn. Even those who are darker-skinned can develop keratosis if they heavily expose themselves to the sun without protection.

Individuals who are immunosuppressed as a result of cancer chemotherapy, AIDS, or organ transplantation, are also at higher risk. It seems that while your healthy, the body keeps them in check. When you become ill they grow and become malignant more often, although this is not yet proven. Because more than half of an average person's lifetime sun exposure occurs before the age of 20, keratoses appear even in people in their early twenties who have spent too much time in the sun.

How is it treated?

There are a number of effective treatments for eradicating actinic keratoses. Not all keratoses need to be removed. The decision on whether and how to treat is based on the nature of the lesion, your age, and your health.

Curettage is a commonly used treatment. The physician scrapes the lesion and takes a biopsy specimen to be tested for malignancy. Bleeding is controlled by cautery --application of an acid or heat produced by an electric needle. Shave Removal utilizes a scalpel to shave the keratosis and obtain a specimen for testing. The base of the lesion is destroyed, and the bleeding is stopped by cauterization.

Cryosurgery freezes off lesions through application of liquid nitrogen with a special spray device or cotton-tipped application. It does not require anesthesia and produces no bleeding. The longer the spot is frozen the better the chance it will never come back. Longer freezes usually leave lasting white spots.

Dermabrasion removes the upper layers of the skin by sanding or using a fine wire brush operating at 20-25,000 revolutions per minute. The skin is left raw and crusted for a number of days. Once healed after a few weeks, the skin is free from nearly all of the warts, age spots, freckles, many wrinkles and keratosis. The results are long lasting.

Chemical peels: Chemical peels are a milder alternative that has similar, but less complete, effects. Chemical Peeling makes use of acids (jessners solution and/or trichloroacetic acid) applied all over the area. The top layers of the skin peel off and is usually replaced within seven days by growth of new skin. Redness and soreness usually disappear after a few days.

Topical Medications: A prescription cream is effective in removing keratoses, particularly when lesions are numerous. Some health insurance plans now require this to be the first treatment tried before they will pay for another approach. The patient twice daily applies the medication, with progress checked by a physician. 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) cream is used for 2 to 4 weeks. Treatment leaves the affected area temporarily reddened and raw and will cause some discomfort resulting from skin breakdown. Because many of the keratosis returns several years later, some physicians are using less frequent applications for a longer time. This avoids the Redness and soreness to a large degree, but the keratoses come back sooner. Recent studies seem to show that the more raw and inflamed the skin becomes, the better the end result.

Laser Surgery focuses the beam from a carbon dioxide or erbium-yag laser onto the lesion. This treatment is being used more often now these lasers are available, and appears equally effective. This approach, like dermabrasion and chemical peeling, will not be covered (or only partly covered) by insurance.

In conclusion, large, multiple or inflamed actinic keratosis need to be treated to prevent their conversion to squamous cell carcinoma. This avoid the potentially more invasive and extensive treatment of a subsequent malignancy. Regular follow-up visits are usually needed when there are many keratoses.