title: Actinic keratosis. A premalignant skin lesion.
abstract: The actinic keratotic lesion appearing on the sun-exposed skin of the middle-aged and elderly is a common premalignant lesion that infrequently becomes squamous cell carcinoma. Generally, superficially destructive measures provide adequate therapy for this epidermal dysplastic growth. Because of the rare threat of squamous cell carcinoma, a therapeutic dilemma results. If the physician detects any signs of malignancy, such as palpability, induration, or bleeding, a biopsy is mandatory for confirmation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Geisinger Clinic, Danville, PA 17822.
authors.forename: V J
authors.initials: VJ
authors.lastname: Marks
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007642:Keratosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology*; D013472:Sunlight / Q000009:adverse effects*