Skin Cancer Lesions

Actinic (solar) keratosis
Actinic keratoses are precancerous lesions that arise due to increased production of keratin (a tough, fibrous protein) in sun-exposed areas such as face, hands, neck and forearms. The lesion is scaly, flat, 2 mm to 2 cm wide, and has an irregular outline. It ranges from red to pink in colour and grows laterally. They can be itchy or painful, and the number of lesions often increases with age. It arises due to repeated sun exposure and usually occurs in people over the age of 40. About 2% of actinic keratoses can change into squamous cell carcinoma.


Squamous cell carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma lesions occur on the head, neck, and back of hands. 90 to 95% appear on sun-exposed areas. The lesions have irregular borders, are usually quite thick, range from red to brown in colour, and may ulcerate (form an ulcer). You are more likely to develop squamous cell carcinoma if you are fair-skinned, have blond or red hair, or work outdoors. Upon surgical removal of the cancer, the person is usually cured. However, in some case, it can spread to other organs in the body if not removed in time.