110: Epithelial Precancerous Lesions Flashcards
(211 cards)
What are actinic keratoses also known as?
Actinic keratoses are also known as solar keratoses or senile keratoses.
What is a strong indicator of actinic keratoses (AKs)?
A strong indicator of actinic keratoses (AKs) is chronic exposure to UV radiation, which identifies patients at high risk of developing nonmelanoma skin cancer.
What demographic is most commonly affected by actinic keratoses in the US?
In the US, actinic keratoses (AKs) are most commonly diagnosed among dermatology patients aged 45 years and older.
What are some risk factors associated with developing actinic keratoses?
Risk factors for developing actinic keratoses include:
- Skin phenotype
- Cumulative UV exposure
- Age
- Gender
How does the prevalence of actinic keratoses vary by gender?
The prevalence of actinic keratoses increases with age, and men are more likely to develop AKs than women.
What are the typical clinical features of a patient with actinic keratoses?
A typical patient with actinic keratoses is an older, fair-skinned, light-eyed individual with a history of significant sun exposure, who burns and freckles rather than tans, and has significant solar elastosis on examination.
What is the typical size and appearance of an erythematous actinic keratosis lesion?
An erythematous actinic keratosis lesion is typically 2 to 6 mm, erythematous, flat, rough, gritty, or scaly papule that is more easily felt than seen.
What is field cancerization in the context of actinic keratoses?
Field cancerization refers to the presence of multiple actinic keratoses affecting a large area of sun-exposed skin alongside subclinical lesions. Definitions include having more than 2 AKs in one skin area with signs of solar damage, at least 3 AKs within 25 cm² of skin, or more than 5 AKs in one body region or field.
A 55-year-old farmer presents with multiple erythematous, rough, scaly papules on his forearms. What is the most likely diagnosis, and what are the key risk factors for this condition?
The most likely diagnosis is actinic keratosis (AK). Key risk factors include chronic UV exposure, fair skin, outdoor occupation, and advancing age.
A patient with Fitzpatrick skin type I reports frequent sunburns during childhood. How does this history influence their risk of developing actinic keratosis?
Frequent sunburns during childhood significantly increase the likelihood of developing actinic keratosis later in life.
What are the clinical features of a typical erythematous actinic keratosis lesion?
A typical erythematous AK lesion is a 2-6 mm erythematous, flat, rough, gritty, or scaly papule, often found on sun-exposed skin with signs of photodamage.
A patient with a history of organ transplantation presents with multiple AKs. Why are they at increased risk, and what is the recommended preventive measure?
Immunosuppression increases the risk of AKs and their malignant transformation. Preventive measures include consistent use of broad-spectrum sunscreen and regular dermatologic evaluations.
What are the key risk factors associated with the development of actinic keratoses (AKs)?
Key risk factors for developing AKs include:
- Skin phenotype: Fair skin, red or blond hair, blue eyes (Fitzpatrick type I) are at higher risk.
- Cumulative UV exposure: High levels of UV exposure, especially in outdoor occupations.
- Age: Older individuals are more likely to develop AKs.
- Gender: Men are more likely to develop AKs than women.
- History of sunburns: A higher number of sunburns during childhood increases future risk.
- Immunosuppression: Immunosuppressed patients are at increased risk of developing AKs earlier in life and with more rapid malignant transformation.
Describe the typical clinical features of a patient with actinic keratoses (AKs).
A typical patient with AKs is characterized by:
- Demographics: Older, fair-skinned, light-eyed individual.
- Sun exposure history: Significant history of sun exposure, often burns and freckles rather than tans.
- Physical examination findings: Presence of significant solar elastosis.
- Common locations: 80% of AKs are found on chronically sun-exposed areas such as the bald scalp, face, ears, neck, forearms, and dorsal hands.
- Symptoms: Mostly asymptomatic, but may experience pruritus, burning or stinging pain, bleeding, and crusting.
What is field cancerization in the context of actinic keratoses (AKs)?
Field cancerization refers to the phenomenon where multiple actinic keratoses affect a large area of sun-exposed skin alongside subclinical lesions. Definitions of field cancerization include:
- More than 2 AKs within 1 skin area with signs of solar damage.
- At least 3 AKs within 25 cm² of skin.
- More than 5 AKs in 1 body region or field.
What are the clinical features of hypertrophic actinic keratosis (AK)?
Hypertrophic AK is characterized by:
- Thicker, scaly, rough papule or plaque that is skin-colored, gray-white, or erythematous.
- Affects dorsal hands, arms, and scalp.
- A typical erythematous AK can progress into a hypertrophic AK.
- Induration, inflammation, pain, and ulceration are key indicators for distinguishing hypertrophic AK from squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).
What is actinic cheilitis and its clinical presentation?
Actinic cheilitis represents confluent actinic keratoses on the lips, most often the lower lip. Its clinical presentation includes:
- Red, scaly, chapped lips with possible erosions or fissures.
- The vermilion border of the lip is often indistinct.
- Focal hyperkeratosis and leukoplakia may be observed.
- Individuals often complain of persistent dryness and cracking of lips.
What are the main etiologic factors contributing to the formation of actinic keratoses (AKs)?
The main etiologic factors contributing to the formation of actinic keratoses include:
- Fair skin and exposure to UV radiation.
- Majority of lesions develop in areas with chronic exposure to sunlight, such as:
- Balding scalp
- Nose
- Ears
- Lips
- Dorsal hands
- Forearms
- Cumulative UV exposure, frequent sunburns, and poor use of sun protection.
- Other risk factors include male sex, advancing age, and immunosuppression.
How does the Olsen classification categorize actinic keratosis?
The Olsen classification categorizes actinic keratosis into three grades based on clinical features:
Grade | Description |
|——-|————-|
| 1 (Mild) | Slight palpability; AK better felt than seen |
| 2 (Moderate) | Moderately thick AK; Easily seen and felt |
| 3 (Severe) | Very thick or obvious AK |
What is the significance of the Roewert-Huber classification in actinic keratosis?
The Roewert-Huber classification is significant as it categorizes actinic keratosis based on histologic levels:
- Type AK I: Involvement of basal and suprabasal layers of the epidermis; nuclei hyperchromatic and variable in size; loss of nuclear polarity.
- Type AK II: Involvement of the lower two-thirds of the epidermis; alternation with zones of normal epidermis; buds of keratinocytes in the upper papillary dermis.
- Type AK III: Involvement of more than two-thirds of the full epidermal thickness; involvement of hair follicle, infundibula, and acrosyringium; buds of keratinocytes in the upper papillary dermis.
A patient presents with a conical hypertrophic protuberance on their cheek. What is the likely diagnosis, and what percentage of such lesions represent actinic keratosis?
The likely diagnosis is a cutaneous horn, a type of hypertrophic AK. Approximately 21% of all cutaneous horns represent AKs.
What are the histological differences between AK types I, II, and III according to the Roewert-Huber classification?
Type I: Atypical keratinocytes in basal and suprabasal layers. Type II: Atypical keratinocytes in the lower two-thirds of the epidermis. Type III: Atypical keratinocytes involve more than two-thirds of the epidermis and may extend to hair follicles.
What are the clinical features of actinic cheilitis, and which lip is most commonly affected?
Actinic cheilitis presents as red, scaly, chapped lips with erosions or fissures, most commonly affecting the lower lip.
What are the key features of the Olsen classification for actinic keratosis?
Grade 1: Slightly palpable AK. Grade 2: Moderately thick AK. Grade 3: Very thick or obvious AK.