A premalignant condition such as actinic keratosis can lead to something worse like a squamous cell carcinoma. Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common form of skin cancer and usually affects areas that get the most exposure to the sun such as the face. Since this premalignant condition poses a health risk, you must get rid of it immediately.
Keratinocytes, when altered can cause actinic keratosis. Actinic keratosis possess the characteristics of a wart, although it’s cause is different. The name keratosis came from the word “keratin”. Because of that, actinic keratosis appears to be solid and bumpy.
You better be concerned about that actinic keratosis if you don’t want it to turn to something worse. The weakness of squamous cells is due to its flatness and thinness. The best technique to prevent skin cancer is to be aware of skin lesions such as actinic keratosis.
You can choose from many types of treatments. It also depends on your budget and the severity of your condition.
Actinic Keratosis (AK) Removal Treatments
• The most efficient way to have AK removed is through laser surgery. Carbon dioxide and Erbium YAG lasers are used for these skin lesions.
• Electrocautery is a form of cautery that uses electricity to burn off areas riddled with AK.
• Cryosurgery works like electrocautery, but this time, extremely low temperature is used to take off skin cells affected with AK. The most popular solution used for this treatment is liquid nitrogen.
• Although commonly used for chemotherapy, 5-fluorouracil also helps to alleviate actinic keratosis. Efudex is a good example of this: and this cream works by making abnormal cells absorb the fluorouracil which inhibits their reproduction. It is quickly absorbed by the abnormal cells than the healthy cells. You have to go through a very harsh treatment with the use of this cream but the outcome is superb.
• Another cream for curing actinic keratosis is called imiquimod. For the treatment to be effective, you had to be very determined despite the agony you will be suffering.
The abovementioned treatments are just some of the obtainable treatments for actinic keratosis. Your over all health should be considered before going through these treatments. You can be sure that your skin cancer risk is lessened if you have that actinic keratosis removed.
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