Actinic keratosis: from the skin to the lip.
OBJECTIVE
Actinic keratoses are commonly the result of intense sun damage to the skin and lips of susceptible patients. The purposes of this 2-section article are to familiarize the surgeon with options for care and to suggest methods of incorporation into practice as a true benefit to patients.


METHODS
The first section discusses the options chosen for patients who were referred to the Facial Lesion Clinic in a county hospital for precancerous or cancerous facial lesions; the second section reviews ramifications for precancerous sun-damaged lips with clinical leukoplakia.


RESULTS
Methods are available to aid patients with precancerous facial and lip lesions. Choices have been presented with patient examples.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with precancerous facial and lip lesions should receive therapy that diagnoses or treats these lesions. Long-term avoidance or mere observation of these lesions will portend future cancer.
Zide
Michael F
MF
John Peter Smith Hospital, Fort Worth, TX 76104, USA. drzide@facialoralsurg.com
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001706:Biopsy; D002615:Chemexfoliation; D003452:Cryosurgery; D004598:Electrosurgery; D005148:Facial Dermatoses / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005153:Facial Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007642:Keratosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D053685:Laser Therapy; D007972:Leukoplakia, Oral / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008046:Lip / Q000601:surgery; D008047:Lip Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008048:Lip Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D013472:Sunlight / Q000009:adverse effects*
D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D005472:Fluorouracil