Pre-Cancers

Pre cancerous spots are known as Actinic Keratosis (AK’s) or Solar Keratosis.  AK’s are usually found in areas that are exposed to the sun like your face, lips, ears, back, neck, chest, and the back of hands.   AK’s are caused by long-term exposure to the sun from as far back as childhood.  They are most likely to appear after age 40, but can be found in persons in their teens and twenties (especially those who have lived in areas where the sun is intense most of the year, like Hawaii).

Actinic Keratoses usually range from the size of a pencil led to the size of a pencil erasure.    They will start out looking like a scaly patch of skin and will turn into a scaly, wart-like bump.  AK’s going untreated will likely turn into Squamous Cell Carcinoma cancer.  For more information about pre cancer use the following link:
www.skincancer.org/actinic-keratosis-and-other-precancers.html

Treatment

Surgical Removal and Biopsy—Actinic Keratoses left untreated can turn into Squamous Cell Carcinoma, therefore AK’s may need to be surgically removed and sent to the lab for biopsy to ensure it is not cancerous.

Cryosurgery—The most commonly used treatment is freezing the AK’s with liquid nitrogen. Patients may experience a temporary sensation of burning or stinging. After being treated the AK will peel off and heal within a week.

Topical Creams—A topical anti-cancer cream is applied to the skin of the affected area. Patients may experience mild to severe skin irritation and discomfort. A localized red spot may remain at the site of a treat AK before it disappears.

Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)—A PDT is an advanced 2 step treatment for AK’s on the face, chest, scalp or arms. This therapy is unique because it uses a light activated drug therapy to destroy AK’s. The 2-step process consists of treatment with a topical solution, and the BLU-U Blue Light. Dr. Scheel may also recommend a Dermasweep micro dermabrasion prior to a PDT treatment. The Dermasweep is a treatment that uses a gentle abrasion with suction to remove or peel the dead outer layer of skin in order to better prepare the skin for the topical solution for the PDT.

Chemical Peeling—A chemical solution is applied to the affected area of the skin. The peel causes the skin to peel over a period of days. After the skin peels, new skin forms to replace it. This treatment can cause some discomfort and will cause redness, swelling and crusting of the skin for a period of time after the treatment.