title: The actinic keratosis. A perspective and update.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Actinic keratosis (AK) is a common sun-induced precancerous neoplasm confined to the epidermis. It is the initial manifestation of a continuum of clinical and histologic abnormalities that progresses to invasive squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), a disorder that accounts for thousands of preventable deaths in America each year.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this work is to describe the actinic keratosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  This effort was performed by a literature review and analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Like SCCs, the vast majority of AKs are asymptomatic. Although some actinic keratoses may become clinically inapparent, possibly either due to immune rejection or simply having their external surface unknowingly scraped off, an untreated AK represents a potentially curable fatal cancer.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Each AK should be treated before it progresses to invasive squamous cell carcinoma. Destructive modalities such as cryosurgery using liquid nitrogen and electrodesiccation and curettage are the mainstays of therapy. Each case must be individualized.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  After studying this article, participant should be able to: 1. Understand the concept of an actinic keratosis. 2. Learn how to recognize its clinical manifestations. 3. Be aware of the danger it poses as an easily curable papulonodule that may become a fatal cancer.
authors.affiliation: New Jersey Medical School, Newark 07103, USA.
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Schwartz
mesh_terms: D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007642:Keratosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D013472:Sunlight / Q000009:adverse effects*