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Information about Actinic Keratosis

Actinic keratosis
Classification & external resources
ICD-10L57.0
ICD-9702.0
Actinic keratosis (also called solar keratosis, or AK) is a premalignant condition of thick, scaly, or crusty patches of skin. It is most common in fair-skinned people who are frequently exposed to the sun, because their pigment isn't very protective. It usually is accompanied by solar damage. Since some of these pre-cancers progress to squamous cell carcinoma, they should be treated.

When skin is exposed to the sun constantly, thick, scaly, or crusty bumps appear. The scaly or crusty part of the bump is dry and rough. The growths start out as flat scaly areas, and later grow into a tough, wart-like area.

An actinic keratosis site commonly ranges in between 2 to 6 millimeters, and can be dark or light, tan, pink, red, a combination of all these, or the same pigment of one's skin. It may appear on any sun-exposed area, such as the face, ears, neck, scalp, chest, back of hands, forearms, lips etc.

Prevention

Preventative measures recommended for AK are similar to those for skin cancer:
  • Not staying in the sun for long periods of time without protection (e.g.:sunscreen, clothing, hats).
  • Frequently applying powerful sunscreens with SPF ratings greater than 15 and that also block both UVA and UVB light.
  • Using sunscreen even in winter sun exposure.
  • Wearing sun protective clothing such as hats, long-sleeved shirts, long skirts, or pants.
  • Avoiding sun exposure during noon hours is very helpful because ultraviolet light is the most powerful at that time.

Diagnosis

Doctors can usually identify AK by doing a thorough examination. A biopsy may be necessary when the keratosis is large and/or thick, to make sure that the bump is a keratosis and not a skin cancer. Seborrheic keratoses are other bumps that appear in groups like the actinic keratosis but are not caused by sun exposure, and are not related to skin cancers. Seborrheic keratoses may be mistaken for an actinic keratosis.

Treatment

Various modalities are employed in the treatment of actinic keratosis: Regular follow-up after treatment is advised by many doctors. The regular checks are to make sure new bumps have not developed and that old ones haven't become thicker and/or have skin disease.

External links

References

  • Abel EA (1989). "Cutaneous manifestations of immunosuppression in organ transplant recipients". J Am Acad Dermatol 21 (2 Pt 1): 167-79. PMID 2671063. 
  • Fitzpatrick TB (1988). "The validity and practicality of sun-reactive skin types I through VI". Arch Dermatol 124 (6): 869-71. PMID 3377516. 
  • Glogau RG (2000). "The risk of progression to invasive disease". J Am Acad Dermatol 42 (1 Pt 2): 23-4. PMID 10607353. 
  • Gordon D, Silverstone H. (1969). "The biologic effects of ultraviolet radiation", in Ubach F, editor: The Biologic Effects of Ultraviolet Radiation. Oxford (UK): Pergamon Press, p. 625. 
  • Lookingbill DP, Lookingbill GL, Leppard B (1995). "Actinic damage and skin cancer in albinos in northern Tanzania: findings in 164 patients enrolled in an outreach skin care program". J Am Acad Dermatol 32 (4): 653-8. PMID 7896957. 
  • Marshall V (1974). "Premalignant and malignant skin tumours in immunosuppressed patients". Transplantation 17 (3): 272-5. PMID 4592184. 
  • Scotto J, Fears TR, Fraumeni JF. Incidence of nonmelanoma skin cancer in the United States. Publication No (NIH) 82-2433. Washington, DC: US Dept Health and Human Services; 1983.
 •  • [ e]
Diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue (integumentary system) (, )
InfectionsStaphylococcus (Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome, Impetigo, Boil, Carbuncle) - Cellulitis - Acute lymphadenitis - Pilonidal cyst - Corynebacterium (Erythrasma)
Bullous disordersPemphigus - Pemphigoid (Bullous pemphigoid) - Dermatitis herpetiformis
Dermatitis and eczemaAtopic dermatitis - Seborrhoeic dermatitis (Dandruff, Cradle cap) - Diaper rash - Urushiol-induced contact dermatitis - Contact dermatitis - Erythroderma - Lichen simplex chronicus - Prurigo nodularis - Itch - Pruritus ani - Nummular dermatitis - Dyshidrosis - Pityriasis alba
Papulosquamous disordersPsoriasis (Psoriatic arthritis) - Parapsoriasis (Pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta, Pityriasis lichenoides chronica) - Pityriasis rosea - Lichen planus - Pityriasis rubra pilaris
Urticaria and erythemaUrticaria (Dermatographic urticaria, Cholinergic urticaria) - Erythema (Erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, Toxic epidermal necrolysis, Erythema nodosum, Erythema annulare centrifugum, Erythema marginatum)
Radiation-related disordersSunburn - Actinic keratosis - Polymorphous light eruption - Radiodermatitis - Erythema ab igne
Disorders of skin appendagesNail disease - Alopecia areata - Telogen effluvium - Lichen planus - Hypertrichosis (Hirsutism) - Acne vulgaris - Rosacea (Rhinophyma) - Pseudofolliculitis barbae - Hidradenitis suppurativa - Miliaria - Anhidrosis - Body odor
Otherpigmentation (Vitiligo, Melasma, Freckle, Caf au lait spot, Lentigo/Liver spot) - Seborrheic keratosis - Acanthosis nigricans - Callus - Pyoderma gangrenosum - Bedsore - Keloid - Granuloma annulare - Necrobiosis lipoidica - Granuloma faciale - Lupus erythematosus - Morphea - Calcinosis cutis - Sclerodactyly - Ainhum - Livedoid vasculitis
see also (Q80-Q84, )
For other uses of "ICD", see ICD (disambiguation).


The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (most commonly known by the abbreviation ICD
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List of ICD-10 codes. The version for 2007 is available online at [1]

Chapter Blocks Title
I Certain infectious and parasitic diseases
II Neoplasms
III Diseases of the blood and blood-forming organs and certain disorders involving the immune mechanism
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For other uses of "ICD", see ICD (disambiguation).


The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (most commonly known by the abbreviation ICD
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The following is a list of codes for International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems. These codes are in the public domain.

See also


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A premalignant condition is a disease, syndrome, or finding that, if left untreated, may lead to cancer.

Examples of pre-malignant conditions include actinic keratosis, Barrett's esophagus and cervical dysplasia.
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pigment is a material that changes the color of light it reflects as the result of selective color absorption. This physical process differs from fluorescence, phosphorescence, and other forms of luminescence, in which the material itself emits light.
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The Sun

Observation data
Mean distance
from Earth 1.4961011 m
(8.31 min at light speed)
Visual brightness (V) −26.74m [1]
Absolute magnitude 4.
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Squamous cell carcinoma, NOS
Classification & external resources

Tends to arise from pre-malignant lesions, actinic keratoses; surface is usually scaly and often ulcerates (as shown here).
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Actinism is a property of radiation (particularly solar radiation) that leads to the production of photochemical effects. Actinism is derived from Greek with the meaning a radiant force.
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MeSH D007642 Keratosis is a growth of keratin on the skin. More specifically, it can refer to:
  • actinic keratosis (also known as solar keratosis)
  • seborrheic keratosis
  • keratosis pilaris (KP)

See also

  • keratoderma

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1 metre =
SI units
1000 mm 0 cm
US customary / Imperial units
0 ft 0 in
The metre or meter[1](symbol: m) is the fundamental unit of length in the International System of Units (SI).
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The Sun

Observation data
Mean distance
from Earth 1.4961011 m
(8.31 min at light speed)
Visual brightness (V) −26.74m [1]
Absolute magnitude 4.
..... Click the link for more information.
Sunscreen (also known as sunblock, suntan lotion) is a lotion, spray or other topical product that helps protect the skin from the sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and which reduces sunburn and other skin damage, with the goal of lowering the risk of skin cancer.
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UVA can refer to:
  • Ultraviolet-A rays (UV-A)
  • Ultraviolet Light Absorber
  • University of Virginia (UVA), in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States
  • Universiteit van Amsterdam (UvA), one of two universities in Amsterdam, the Netherlands

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For other uses, see Sunburn (disambiguation).


SunBurn is an annual regional event held in Florida. Radical self-reliance and self-expression are the goals, and community is emphasized.
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Sun protective clothing is clothing specifically designed for sun protection and is produced from a fabric rated for its level of ultraviolet (UV) protection. A novel weave structure and denier (related to thread count per inch) may produce sun protective properties.
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Ultraviolet (UV) light is electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength shorter than that of visible light, but longer than soft X-rays. It is so named because the spectrum starts with wavelengths slightly shorter than the wavelengths humans identify as the color violet
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A biopsy (in Greek: bios = life and opsy = look/appearance) is a medical test involving the removal of cells or tissues for examination. The tissue is generally examined under a microscope by a pathologist, and can also be analyzed chemically (for example, using
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MeSH D012878 Skin cancer is a malignant growth on the skin which can have many causes. Skin cancer generally develops in the epidermis (the outermost layer of skin), so a tumor is usually clearly visible. This makes most skin cancers detectable in the early stages.
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MeSH D017492 A seborrheic keratosis is a benign skin growth that is very common among people over 40 years of age.

Presentation

The growths resemble flattened or raised warts, but have no viral origins and may exhibit a variety of colors, from pink or yellow through
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Cryosurgery (cryotherapy) is the application of extreme cold to destroy abnormal or diseased tissue.

Cryosurgery comes from the Greek cryo (κρύο) meaning icy cold and the word surgery
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Liquid nitrogen (liquid density at the triple point is 0.807 g/mL) is the liquid produced industrially in large quantities by fractional distillation of liquid air and is often referred to by the abbreviation, LN2. It is pure nitrogen, in a liquid state.
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Fluorouracil (5-FU) is a drug that is used in the treatment of cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called antimetabolites. It is a pyrimidine analog. It is typically administered with Leucovorin.
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Chemotherapy is the use of chemical substances to treat disease. In its modern-day use, it refers to cytotoxic drugs used to treat cancer or the combination of these drugs into a standardized treatment regimen.
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Inflammation (Latin, inflammatio, to set on fire) is the complex biological response of vascular tissues to harmful stimuli, such as pathogens, damaged cells, or irritants.
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Photodynamic therapy (PDT), matured as a feasible medical technology in the 1980s at several institutions throughout the world, is a ternary treatment for cancer involving three key components: a photosensitizer, light, and tissue oxygen.
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''Cauterize redirects here. For the band, see Cauterize (band)


Cauterization is a medical term describing the burning of the body to remove or close a part of it.
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Imiquimod (INN, marketed by 3M under the trade name Aldara) is a prescription medication that acts as an immune response modifier.

Uses

Imiquimod is a patient-applied cream used to treat certain diseases of the skin, including skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma,
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surgery (from the Greek χειρουργική meaning "hand work") is the medical specialty that treats diseases or injuries by operative manual and instrumental treatment.
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