Actinic keratosis: the facts about biological behaviour and clinico-pathological aspects of the disease from the view of pathologist
Authors:
V. Bartoš 1; K. Adamicová 2; M. Péč 3
Authors‘ workplace:
Oddelenie patologickej anatómie FNsP, Žilina, Slovenská republika, Vedúci: prim. MUDr. Dušan Pokorný
1; Ústav patologickej anatómie Jesseniovej lekárskej fakulty a UNM v Martine, Vedúci: prof. MUDr. Lukáš Plank, CSc.
2; Ústav lekárskej biológie Jesseniovej lekárskej fakulty v Martine, Vedúci: doc. MUDr. Martin Péč, PhD.
3
Published in:
Prakt. Lék. 2011; 91(11): 646-652
Category:
Various Specialization
Overview
Actinic keratosis (AK) is a very frequently diagnosed disorder in dermatological practice that mostly arises on the parts of the body that are exposed to the sun. This cutaneous lesion has been historically considered precancerosis, but currently it is recommended to classify it as squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in situ. The course of the disease is usually heterogeneous. Individual lesions may
- regress spontaneously,
- recur,
- persist without changes for a long time, or
- can progress to invasive cancer.
This 3-tiered grading system better reflects the process of gradual malignant transformation of the epidermis, but controversy still persists about its practical application. Although the malignant potential of AK is relatively low, we do not know any reliable clinico-pathological factors to predict disease outcome. That is why there is still a need for new studies focusing on the pathogenesis and biological behaviour of AK. In clinical practice, this is illustrated by the dilemma of whether all lesions unconditionally require treatment, and which is the most appropriate therapy for individual lesions.
Key words:
actinic keratosis, keratinocyte intraepidermal neoplasia, squamous cell
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