Actinic Keratosis

Actinic Keratosis: Diagnostic Tests

The diagnosis of actinic keratosis is usually made clinically. Optional medical device diagnostics – depending on the results of the history, physical examination, laboratory diagnostics, and obligatory medical device diagnostics – for differential diagnosis. Dermatoscopy (reflected light microscopy; increases diagnostic confidence). Fluorescence diagnostics (FD; synonym: photodynamic diagnostics, PDD); for in vivo diagnosis of non-melanocytic tumors … Actinic Keratosis: Diagnostic Tests

Actinic Keratosis: Surgical Therapy

“Actinic keratoses (AK) do not require histologic diagnosis if typical clinical findings are present.” In cases of resistance to therapy and clinically unclear findings, a biopsy (tissue biopsy) should be obtained. This can be done by incisional biopsy form of tissue removal in which only a portion of the suspicious finding is removed) or by … Actinic Keratosis: Surgical Therapy

Actinic Keratosis: Prevention

To prevent actinic keratosis (AK), attention must be paid to reducing individual risk factors. Behavioral risk factors Consumption of stimulants Tobacco (smoking) Recreational or occupational exposure to UV radiation (UV-A rays (315-380 nm), UV-B rays (280-315 nm); sun; solarium. Environmental exposure – intoxications (poisonings). Damage to the skin by UV radiation (UVA, UVB; sun; solarium); … Actinic Keratosis: Prevention

Actinic Keratosis: Symptoms, Complaints, Signs

The following symptoms and complaints may indicate actinic keratosis (AK): Leading symptoms Foci of vulnerable skin, i.e., may bleed easily (diameter: 0.3-1 cm) Horn or wart-like growth The clinical picture can be very diverse: Flat, erythematous (“accompanied by redness of the skin“), rough macules (color changes of the skin). Atrophic erythematous macules Erythematous rough papules … Actinic Keratosis: Symptoms, Complaints, Signs

Actinic Keratosis: Causes

Pathogenesis (disease development) In actinic keratosis (AK), cumulative UV exposure causes mutations (genetic changes) in skin cells and proliferation (growth) of atypical keratinocytes (horn-forming cells). This process initially takes place in the area of the basement membrane, so that actinic keratoses are regarded as carcinoma in situ (literally: “cancer at the site of origin”) for … Actinic Keratosis: Causes

Actinic Keratosis: Therapy

General measures Review of permanent medication due topossible effect on existing disease. Avoidance of environmental stress: Damage to the skin by UV radiation (sunlight or solarium) [→ UV protection (textile light protection, light protection preparations)]. Arsenic Infrared radiation (thermal radiation) X-ray radiation / ionizing radiation Tar products (lignite tar/lignite workers) and other hydrocarbons. Regularly check … Actinic Keratosis: Therapy

Actinic Keratosis: Medical History

Medical history (history of the patient) represents an important component in the diagnosis of actinic keratosis (AK). Family history Social history What is your occupation? Current medical history/systemic history (somatic and psychological complaints)? Have you noticed any changes in the skin? Where exactly are the changes located? Since when do these changes exist? Did the … Actinic Keratosis: Medical History

Actinic Keratosis: Or something else? Differential Diagnosis

Skin and subcutaneous (L00-L99). Arsenic keratosis – skin damage resulting in dryness and yellowish discoloration of the skin. Benign lichenoid keratosis – form of keratosis in which there is the formation of nodules. Discoid lupus erythematosus – form of lupus erythematosus limited to the skin. Lentigo solaris (age spots). Lichen ruber planus* (nodular lichen) Psoriasis … Actinic Keratosis: Or something else? Differential Diagnosis

Actinic Keratosis: Complications

The following are the most important diseases or complications that may be contributed to by actinic keratosis (AK): Neoplasms – Tumor diseases (C00-D48). Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin – malignant (malignant) neoplasm of the skin (from about 10% of all actinic keratoses develops a squamous cell carcinoma of the skin).

Actinic Keratosis: Classification

Clinical classification of actinic keratoses (according to Olsen). Grade according to Olsen Description I Mild actinic keratosis: single or few, millimeter-sized, rough, blurred skin lesions (lesions) that range in color to reddish. Better to palpate than to see. II Moderate actinic keratosis: advanced lesions, clearly visible and palpable, flat and irregularly raised, with sharp or … Actinic Keratosis: Classification

Actinic Keratosis: Examination

A comprehensive clinical examination is the basis for selecting further diagnostic steps: General physical examination – including blood pressure, pulse, body weight, height; further: Inspection (viewing) of skin [leading symptoms: foci of vulnerable skin, horn-like or wart-like growth]. Palpation of lesion(s)/palpation of skin lesion(s) [roughness (“like sandpaper”) easily palpable] Dermatological examination[due todifferential diagnoses: Arsenic keratosis … Actinic Keratosis: Examination

Actinic Keratosis: Test and Diagnosis

The diagnosis of actinic keratosis is usually made clinically. Laboratory parameters of the 1st order – obligatory laboratory parameters. Histologic (fine tissue) workup of the biopsies (tissue samples) taken.