title: Topical therapy for actinic keratoses: current and evolving therapies.
abstract: Actinic keratoses (AKs) are evolving malignant cutaneous neoplasms. They are also known as solar keratosis, squamous cell carcinoma in situ-solar keratotic type, or keratinocytic intraepidermal neoplasia. Actinic keratoses can be treated by two general methods: by physical/destructive methods and with topical therapies. This article will review current and evolving topical therapeutic options for AKs. Several topical treatment options have been shown to offer some significant benefit in the alleviation of these lesions. The therapies include 5-fluorouracil, imiquimod, diclofenac, colchicine and retinoids.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York, NY 10025, USA. jmw27@columbia.edu
authors.forename: Jeffrey M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Weinberg
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000634:Aminoquinolines / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002278:Carcinoma in Situ / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003078:Colchicine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004008:Diclofenac / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D000077271:Imiquimod; D007642:Keratosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D018307:Neoplasms, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012176:Retinoids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D000634:Aminoquinolines; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D012176:Retinoids; D004008:Diclofenac; D000077271:Imiquimod; D003078:Colchicine; D005472:Fluorouracil