What should you know about squamous cell actinic keratosis?

Actinic keratosis is a rough, sun-related skin change that can sometimes progress to squamous cell carcinoma and deserves clinical review. It commonly feels gritty or sandpapery and may be easier to feel than see. A clinician may examine the spot closely and sample it when the diagnosis or degree of change is uncertain.

Repeated ultraviolet exposure can damage cells in sun-exposed areas such as the face, ears, scalp, forearms, and backs of the hands. A lesion may be pink, red, brown, or close to the surrounding skin, with scale, tenderness, or a crust. Actinic keratosis is not the same as cancer, but a thickening, sore, or changing lesion may need assessment for Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Arrange a skin examination, especially if a rough spot is new, persistent, tender, bleeding, or changing. Use shade, protective clothing, and broad-spectrum sunscreen as directed, and avoid tanning beds. Treatment depends on the number, thickness, location, and appearance of lesions. Options may include Cryotherapy (Lesion Removal), Photodynamic Therapy, Imiquimod Treatment, or Topical 5-Fluorouracil; a clinician will match the approach to your skin and medical history.

Book a prompt review for rapid growth, repeated bleeding, increasing pain, ulceration, a firm thickened area, or a lesion that does not heal. Seek advice sooner when a spot is on the lip, ear, eyelid, or scalp, or when you have had previous skin cancer or take medicines that suppress immunity. Skin Cancer Screening can help identify additional areas needing attention.

Ask whether the spot needs a biopsy, which treatment fits its location and thickness, how to protect treated skin, and how often you should return for checks. Ask what changes should be photographed or reported.