What is actinic keratosis a precursor to?

Actinic keratosis is a skin condition that results from long-term sun exposure and is characterized by rough, scaly patches on sun-damaged skin. It is considered a precancerous lesion because it has the potential to progress to squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), which is a type of skin cancer. The transformation occurs in a small percentage of cases, but it is an important aspect to recognize in clinical practice, especially for individuals with multiple actinic keratoses or a history of significant sun exposure.

This association with squamous cell carcinoma highlights the importance of early detection and management of actinic keratosis to prevent the progression to cancer. In contrast, while basal cell carcinoma is also associated with sun damage, it is not directly preceded by actinic keratosis, and melanoma, which arises from melanocytes, has different risk factors and pathogenesis. Dermatofibromas, being benign tumors that are not related to sun exposure or actinic keratosis, do not have a precancerous relationship.