Actinic keratosis

Actinic keratosis (AK) or solar keratoses are pre-malignant skin lesion showing early changes of increase in keratosis (see Figure 11.1). AKs present as scaly, erythematous, hyperpigmented crusty lesions, predominantly in sun-exposed skin, often the back of the hands, face and scalp. They are very common in older people, and there is a high prevalence in patients receiving chronic immunosuppression such as organ transplant recipients. Evidence suggests that most AKs are the result of chronic exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light. A small percentage may have the potential to progress to squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) (de Berker et al., 2007).

Figure 11.1 Actinic (solar) keratoses. (Source: Reprinted from Graham-Brown and Burns, 2006.)

Figure 11.2 Bowen’s disease. (Source: Reprinted from Graham-Brown and Burns, 2006.)