Pronounced: Ak-TIN-ik care-a-TOE-sis
Actinic keratosis (AK) is a rough, scaly, or crusted patch of skin. It often happens from being in the sun. It is not cancer, but it can change to squamous cell skin cancer.
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AK is more common in older adults. It is also more common men. Other things that may raise the risk are:
You will be asked about your symptoms and health history. A physical exam will be done.
A biopsy may be done. The skin will be checked for cancer in a lab.
Treatment depends on whether the AK is mild or severe. A mild AK may be watched to check for changes over time. A severe AK may be treated to lower the risk of skin cancer. This may be done with:
To lower the chance of getting AK:
American Academy of Dermatology
http://www.aad.org
American Osteopathic College of Dermatology
http://www.aocd.org
Canadian Cancer Society
http://www.cancer.ca
Canadian Dermatology Association
http://www.dermatology.ca
Actinic keratosis. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/actinic-keratosis. Updated August 13, 2019. Accessed November 19, 2019.
Actinic keratosis. The Skin Cancer Foundation website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Updated May 2019. Accessed November 19, 2019.
de Berker D, McGregor JM, et al. British Association of Dermatologists' guidelines for the care of patients with actinic keratosis 2017. Br J Dermatol. 2017 Jan;176(1):20-43.
Sunscreen FAQs. American Academy of Dermatology website. Available at: https://www.aad.org/media-resources/stats-and-facts/prevention-and-care/sunscreen-faqs. Accessed November 19, 2019.
Last reviewed September 2019 by EBSCO Medical Review Board James P. Cornell, MD