Actinic keratosis (AK) is the most common precancer that forms on skin damaged by chronic exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun and/or indoor tanning. Solar keratosis is another name for the condition. AKs result from long-term exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

2023年10月3日 · Only about 10 percent of actinic keratoses will eventually become cancerous, but the majority of SCCs do begin as AKs. Unfortunately, there’s no way to tell which AKs will become dangerous, so monitoring and treating any that crop up is the only way to be sure.

If you have one or more actinic keratoses (AKs), it’s a sign of skin damage that puts you at a high risk for developing skin cancer. Identifying and treating these precancerous lesions helps you reduce that risk.

View images and learn the warning signs and symptoms for the precancer actinic keratosis (AK) and how to spot it early.

Actinic keratosis (AK) is a very common skin precancer. Understanding your risk factors along with what causes AK can help you prevent it from developing. Being aware of your disease risk will also help you spot AKs early, when they are highly treatable.

2023年5月9日 · Actinic keratoses located on the hand. These precancerous lesions crop up on skin’s surface sometimes years after sun damage has occurred, and they can be tricky to treat. One dermatologist tells us why.

Actinic Keratosis. Actinic keratosis (also known as solar keratosis) is the most common precancer. For more photos and information on actinic keratosis warning signs and symptoms, visit our Actinic Keratosis Warning Signs page.

Skin cancer is the out-of-control growth of abnormal cells in the epidermis, the outermost skin layer, caused by unrepaired DNA damage that triggers mutations. These mutations lead the skin cells to multiply rapidly and form malignant tumors.

Our glossary gives you detailed information on the treatments physicians currently use for skin cancers and precancers. These include basal cell carcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas, melanomas and Merkel cell carcinomas, as well as rare skin cancers, precancerous actinic keratoses and atypical moles.

2024年7月11日 · FACT: S unscreen, as part of a complete sun protection strategy, helps to prevent skin cancer. Two studies showed that in people who used sunscreen every day, melanoma was reduced by 50 percent and squamous cell carcinoma by 40 percent.