Understanding Actinic Keratosis
Medical Author: Nili N. Alai, MD, FAAD
Medical Editor: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
What are actinic keratoses?
Actinic keratoses (AKs) are small, red, rough, scaly, flat spots that feel like dry skin patches. They often occur on sun-exposed areas, such as the nose, ears, face, chest, forearms, and back of the hands. Other common names include AK, AKs, solar keratosis,
precancers, and pre-skin cancers.
At what age do AKs develop?
Experts agree that AKs are most common in older adults and seniors. AKs are extremely rare in children or adolescents.
What are my chances of my precancers becoming skin cancers?
Anywhere from 5%-10% of AKs can potentially go on to become skin cancers. It is not possible to tell which ones will do this. Some AKs will never develop into anything else. Some AKs go away without treatment.
Do actinic keratoses ever turn into melanoma (a deadly form of skin cancer)?
No. While AKs may give rise to skin cancers like squamous cell carcinomas, they do not turn into melanomas. Nevertheless, it is important to keep in mind that people with AKs may be more prone to melanomas simply by having more sun damage.
How do I prevent developing more precancers?
Helpful measures include sun protection with hats, clothing, sunscreen, and sun avoidance, particularly during the peak hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Additional long-term maintenance options include nightly applications of retinoid creams, such as tretinoin (Retin-A) or tazarotene (Tazorac). Some studies also have shown a benefit from using green tea creams to decrease the number of AKs.
How do I know that my AK is not cancerous?
Any non-healing or recurring AK in the same spot may need a small skin biopsy to make sure it has not turned into skin cancer. Sometimes, your physician will treat the AKs and recheck them in three to four weeks. Any non-healing spots may then be suspect for possible cancer.
Is there a blood test, skin text, or X-ray to diagnose AKs?
Most AKs are diagnosed by a physician during a skin exam. There are no blood tests or special X-rays for this.
What about "UV" cameras that show sun damage?
UV cameras using special black-and-white images depicting the amount of sun damage may be helpful in some cases to demonstrate sun damage. UV cameras do not necessarily diagnose AKs or skin cancer.
Why do I have more AKs on my left side?
Overall, many people have more AKs on their left face, or driving window side, because of possible increased sun exposure while driving.
I am an avid golfer and have noticed AKs only on my right hand. Why is my left hand better?
Commonly, golfers wear a glove on their nondominant hand. The golfing glove's physical barrier gives protection from the sun's rays on the covered hand. It is common to see an asymmetric pattern of AKs primarily on the
uncovered hand in golfers. It would be a great idea to consider getting matching gloves to protect both hands!
How often should I be seen and treated for AKs?
Usually, every four to six months is a very appropriate interval for treatment of AKs. AKs are like weeds in your garden. Just like your garden, your skin also needs periodic maintenance to keep the weeds away. Left unmaintained, these weeds or AKs can grow out of control, requiring extensive "de-weeding" on your next visit.
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