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Senile (actinic) keratoses

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  • The most common premalignant skin condition.
  • Due to dysplastic proliferations of keratinocytes with a potential for malignant transformation (1).
  • Characterized by multifocal scaly, hyperpigmented or scaly lesions, usually brown with a scaly base.
  • Histologically they are characterised by marked thickening of the keratin layer (hyperkeratosis) and the prickle cell layer (acanthosis). There may be a variable degree of dysplastic change and abnormal mitotic activity. However the basal layer remains intact.

 

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Reference:

  1. Reinehr CPH, Bakos RM. Actinic keratoses: review of clinical, dermoscopic, and therapeutic aspects. An Bras Dermatol. 2019 Nov-Dec;94(6):637-657. doi: 10.1016/j.abd.2019.10.004. Epub 2019 Nov 6. PMID: 31789244; PMCID: PMC6939186.

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The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

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