Actinic keratosis
See also in: External and Internal Eye,Hair and ScalpAlerts and Notices
Synopsis
The frequency of AKs increases with age and cumulative lifetime sun exposure. They are also more common in individuals who are immunosuppressed (especially after solid organ transplantation) and in males. They may resolve with protection from ultraviolet (UV) light. Some medications (ie, capecitabine, sorafenib) may induce inflammation of existing AKs.
Patients with AKs are at higher risk for developing nonmelanoma skin cancer. AKs have the potential to evolve into squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). It is estimated that the likelihood that a given AK will evolve into an invasive SCC is approximately 0.075%-0.096% per lesion.
The term "field cancerization" is used to describe areas of skin at risk for both AK and SCC. Clinically, this manifests as numerous AKs and squamous cell carcinoma in situ (SCCis) with or without invasive SCCs in a field of chronically sun-damaged skin. Risk factors include male sex, lighter skin color, older age, underlying immunosuppression, and the degree of prior exposure to UV light.
Related topic: actinic cheilitis
Codes
ICD10CM:L57.0 – Actinic keratosis
SNOMEDCT:
201101007 – Actinic keratosis
Look For
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Diagnostic Pearls
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Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls
- Superficial basal cell carcinoma
- SCCis (Bowen disease)
- Psoriasis
- Flat wart
- Common wart
- Seborrheic dermatitis – Patients with significant seborrheic dermatitis will benefit from initial treatment of dermatitis before beginning treatment for AK.
- SCC
- Seborrheic keratosis
- Discoid lupus erythematosus
- Disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis
- Severe xerosis – Wiping the skin with water or an alcohol pad will minimize background xerosis. In addition, xerosis lacks the classic gritty sensation on light palpation.
- Lentigo (pigmented variant)
- Lentigo maligna (pigmented variant)
Best Tests
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Management Pearls
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Therapy
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Drug Reaction Data
Below is a list of drugs with literature evidence indicating an adverse association with this diagnosis. The list is continually updated through ongoing research and new medication approvals. Click on Citations to sort by number of citations or click on Medication to sort the medications alphabetically.Subscription Required
References
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Last Reviewed:12/18/2021
Last Updated:02/10/2022
Last Updated:02/10/2022
Actinic keratosis
See also in: External and Internal Eye,Hair and Scalp