Actinic Keratoses

Actinic keratoses (AK) are small, rough patches that form on the skin. They can easily be confused with warts. They are a very common skin condition that affects several million people worldwide.¹ Actinic keratoses are generally slightly more common in men than in women. Their incidence increases with age. Generally, fair-skinned, red-haired, or blond people, who rarely tan in the sun and are therefore more prone to sunburn, are more affected. Actinic keratoses usually appear in areas of the skin that are most exposed to the sun. Frequent or intense sun exposure over many years promotes the development of actinic keratoses. Sun exposure primarily damages the cells located in the upper layer of the skin – the epidermis. Actinic keratoses can develop from these damaged cells. It’s important to treat actinic keratoses in their early stages. If left untreated, there’s a risk that actinic keratoses will develop into a common form of skin cancer, known as squamous cell carcinoma.²

References

1. George CD et al. Global epidemiology of actinic keratosis in the general population: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Br J Dermatol. 2024 Mar 15;190(4):465-476.
2. Kandolf L et al. European Association of Dermato‐Oncology, European Dermatology Forum, European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology and Union of Medical Specialists (Union Européenne des Médecins Spécialistes). European consensus-based interdisciplinary guideline for diagnosis, treatment and prevention of actinic keratoses, epithelial UV-induced dysplasia and field cancerization on behalf of European Association of Dermato-Oncology, European Dermatology Forum, European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology and Union of Medical Specialists (Union Européenne des Médecins Spécialistes). J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2024 Jun;38(6):1024-1047.