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[Actinic keratosis: the art of doing nothing]

Just A H Eekhof1

  • 1Gezondheidscentrum Stevenshof, Leiden, the Netherlands. j.eekhof@nhg.org

Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Geneeskunde
|March 15, 2013
PubMed

Insights

General practitioners often assess skin lesions like actinic keratoses. Watchful waiting is a justifiable approach for non-malignant, asymptomatic actinic keratoses, especially in elderly patients.

Area of Science:

  • Dermatology
  • Oncology

Context:

  • General practitioners frequently encounter diverse skin lesions in clinical practice.
  • Actinic keratoses (AKs) are common precancerous skin lesions, particularly in the elderly population.
  • Distinguishing between benign AKs and invasive squamous cell carcinoma is a clinical challenge.

Purpose:

  • To provide guidance on the management of actinic keratoses.
  • To clarify when watchful waiting is an appropriate strategy for actinic keratoses.
  • To inform general practitioners about therapeutic guidelines for precancerous skin lesions.

Summary:

  • Actinic keratoses are precancerous lesions that can progress to squamous cell carcinoma.
  • Therapeutic guidelines exist for managing actinic keratoses.
  • Watchful waiting is a justifiable option for small, non-malignant, asymptomatic actinic keratoses not presenting as a chief complaint.

Impact:

  • Supports evidence-based decision-making for general practitioners managing actinic keratoses.
  • Aims to reduce unnecessary treatments for benign skin conditions.
  • Contributes to the appropriate management of precancerous skin lesions, potentially preventing invasive cancer.

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