Introduction to Actinic Keratoses

Hello, my name is Dr. Thomas Knackstedt, and I’m a board-certified dermatologist and board-certified, fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon at Peak Skin Center. In this video, I want to talk about actinic keratoses.

Actinic keratoses are precancerous lesions—“precancerous” in the sense that they have the potential to develop into squamous cell carcinoma over time. Actinic keratoses, often referred to as AKs, are extremely common, and millions of people have them on their skin.

They often present as small, red, slightly raised patches or lesions. Sometimes they’re barely visible to the naked eye and are easier to detect by touch. They often have a sandpaper-like or gritty texture. If you run your fingers over an area of skin—such as your forehead or cheek—and feel a rough, gritty spot, it may be an actinic keratosis.

Different studies have reported varying rates of risk for an individual precancer progressing into skin cancer. When these studies are considered together, we generally conclude that the risk of any single actinic keratosis developing into skin cancer is relatively low.

However, many patients don’t have just one precancer. They may have 10, 20, 30, 50, or even more actinic keratoses. That’s where these lesions become more concerning. While the risk of progression for any one lesion may be low, the cumulative risk of having many precancers significantly increases the likelihood of developing skin cancer over time. This is why patients with numerous actinic keratoses often require ongoing monitoring and treatment.

If you or a loved one has noticed rough, scaly patches on your skin, it may be actinic keratoses, an early form of skin cancer. Schedule a consultation with a board-certified dermatologist at Peak Skin Center, where our specialists offer expert care in diagnosing and treating pre-cancerous skin conditions. Renowned across Cary, Apex, Holly Springs, and Fuquay-Varina, our dermatologists provide comprehensive, personalized treatments to prevent further progression. Visit us at any of our convenient locations to take proactive steps toward healthier skin today.