Non-melanoma Skin Cancer in Canada Chapter 3: Management of Actinic Keratoses.
BACKGROUND
Actinic keratosis (AK) and cheilitis (AC) are lesions that develop on photodamaged skin and may progress to form invasive squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs).


OBJECTIVE
To provide guidance to Canadian health care practitioners regarding management of AKs and ACs.


METHODS
Literature searches and development of graded recommendations were carried out as discussed in the accompanying introduction (chapter 1 of the NMSC guidelines).


RESULTS
Treatment of AKs allows for secondary prevention of skin cancer in sun-damaged skin. Because it is impossible to predict whether a given AK will regress, persist, or progress, AKs should ideally be treated. This chapter discusses options for the management of AKs and ACs.


CONCLUSIONS
Treatment options include surgical removal, topical treatment, and photodynamic therapy. Combined modalities may be used in case of inadequate response. AKs are particularly common following the long-term immunosuppression in organ transplant patients, who should be monitored frequently to identify emerging lesions that require surgery.
Centre Dermatologique du Québec Métropolitain, Québec, QC, Canada Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada poulinyves@videotron.ca.
Yves
Y
Poulin
Lynderm Research Inc, Markham, ON, Canada University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Charles W
CW
Lynde
Kirk Barber Research, Calgary, AB, Canada University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
Kirk
K
Barber
Dermatrials Research, Hamilton, ON, Canada McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
Ronald
R
Vender
Clinique Dermatologique Joël Claveau, Québec, QC, Canada.
Joël
J
Claveau
Durondel CP Inc, Moncton, NB, Canada Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada.
Marc
M
Bourcier
SCRIPT, Toronto, ON, Canada.
John
J
Ashkenas
D000634:Aminoquinolines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002170:Canada; D003452:Cryosurgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077271:Imiquimod; D055623:Keratosis, Actinic / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D010778:Photochemotherapy
D000634:Aminoquinolines; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000077271:Imiquimod
actinic cheilitis; actinic keratosis; cryosurgery; fluorouracil; imiquimod; ingenol mebutate; photodynamic therapy