{"id":163,"date":"2011-04-07T16:33:36","date_gmt":"2011-04-07T21:33:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.advdermatology.com\/blog\/?p=163"},"modified":"2024-12-11T14:31:53","modified_gmt":"2024-12-11T20:31:53","slug":"precancerous-lesions-actinic-keratosis-dysplastic-nevus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.advdermatology.com\/blog\/precancerous-lesions-actinic-keratosis-dysplastic-nevus\/","title":{"rendered":"Precancerous Lesions Actinic Keratosis and Dysplastic Nevus"},"content":{"rendered":"

There are several skin conditions that can be a “precancer” or an indicator that one may be prone to skin cancers<\/a>. Two of the most common are known as actinic keratosis<\/a> and dysplastic nevus<\/a>.<\/p>\n

An\u00a0actinic keratosis<\/a> also known as an AK is usually a red or flesh colored scaly patch or bump that arises on the skins surface. Actinic keratosis<\/a> can be the first step in the development of skin cancer<\/a>. It is estimated that 10 to 15 percent of active lesions, which may be thicker, redder or more tender than the rest will take the next step and progress to a squamous cell carcinoma<\/a>. Fortunately, these cancers are usually not life threatening, provided they are detected and treated in the early stages. However, if not discovered in a timely fashion, they can bleed, ulcerate, become infected, or grow large and invade the surrounding tissues, eventually spreading to the internal organs.<\/p>\n

Dysplastic<\/a>\u00a0or atypical nevus (mole) can be flat or raised, and range in color from pink to black. They are concerning as melanomas may arise in them and they can be an indicator that one is more prone to getting melanoma<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Common ways to remember changes that are seen in melanoma are the ABCDE’s of melanoma<\/a>.<\/p>\n