Pre-cancerous skin conditions are very common as they have the potential to develop into non-melanoma skin cancer which is the most common form of cancer in the UK and worldwide. It’s important to recognise the early signs and symptoms so they can be diagnosed and treated before they develop into malignant lesions.
Precancerous skin conditions form on the outermost layer of the skin (epidermis) and are caused by ultraviolet (UV) damage. They commonly develop in skin that has been regularly exposed to the sun and usually appear after 40 years of age. Certain types of conditions can develop into non-melanoma skin cancer which is why they are often called precancers. They are not life-threatening. But if they are diagnosed and treated early, they do not have the chance to develop into skin cancer.
There are 2 main types of precancerous skin conditions: Actinic (or Solar) Keratosis and Intraepidermal Carcinoma / SCC in-situ (more commonly known as Bowen’s Disease). Both are more likely to affect mature skin that has accumulated sun damage over longer periods of time.
Actinic keratosis is the most common precancer of the skin resulting from long-term exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. This means that if you already have an AK, you are likely to develop more in the future. This puts you at a higher risk for skin cancer, because AKs can occasionally develop into squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) a common and sometimes invasive form of skin cancer.
Actinic keratosis usually appear as small dry, scaly or crusty patches of skin that are often raised with a rough texture.
They may be red, light or dark tan, white, pink, flesh-toned or a combination of colours.
They can cause soreness, irritation, discomfort or pain, or may just pose a cosmetic nuisance.
They are sometimes easier to feel than see, especially in the scalp or other hard to see areas, so it’s wise to give your skin a good feel for these early signs.
Although often referred to as a precancer, intraepidermal carcinoma (Bowen’s disease) is a very early form of skin cancer that’s easily treatable.
“Intraepidermal” means that the cancerous cells are located in the epidermis (the upper layer of the skin) from where they originally developed (in situ). If left untreated the condition can turn into a type of skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma, which is why early diagnosis and treatment is important.
Bowen’s disease often presents on the head, neck and lower limbs as an asymptomatic (producing or showing no symptoms) scaly, red, pink or salmon coloured patch or plaque that may be flat, scaly, crusted, eroded, ulcerated, velvety or warty.
They are generally slow growing but due to asymptomatic nature, lesions may become very large, reaching several centimetres in diameter.
The development of an ulcer, lump or pain within a patch, may indicate the formation of invasive squamous cell carcinoma.
A dermatologist will likely be able to determine whether you have an actinic keratosis or Bowen’s disease simply by looking at your skin under a dermatoscope (a magnifying tool used to examine the skin). If there’s any doubt, your health care provider may do other tests, such as a small skin biopsy to make the diagnosis.
Many factors play a part in selecting the right treatment but common treatments include applying a medicated cream or gel; cryotherapy (freezing the area with liquid nitrogen); Scraping (curettage); laser therapy and photodynamic therapy.
Install the Skcin app on your mobile device to access all the tools and resources you need to confidently perform full-body skin examinations, set monthly reminders, and track lesions for signs of change using close-up photography.
The Skcin app is a comprehensive, educational, and self-management tool dedicated to the prevention and early detection of skin cancer. The app comprises six key service areas to help you learn more and take charge of your skin health and surveillance.
