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Anyone had actinic keratosis turn into squamous cell carcinoma?
Cancer | Last Active: Oct 30 9:37pm | Replies (15)Comment receiving replies
Yes, I have had several surgeries to remove squamous cell carcinomas and one Mohs surgery to remove an infiltrative basal cell carcinoma. Actinic keratosis is a precursor to these kinds of skin cancer. My dermatologist says the stage for development of actinic keratosis is set, in many cases, years ago from prolonged exposure to sun especially without the protection of sunscreen. Actinic keratosis is not a condition that would occur inside the mouth which is lined with a mucous membrane and has no keratin. So I would have that checked out.
I have had several treatments with fluorouracil cream which is applied over a course of 2 to 4 weeks. Another product is efudex. Both are meant to rid one of actinic keratosis before they become cancerous. Interestingly, these creams will expose heretofore unseen actinic keratoses before application.
As the course of the treatment continues irritated red lesions appear representing these actininic keratoses. There are several studies that provide convincing evidence that taking 500mg of Niacin twice daily can curb the incidence of actinic keratosis by as much as 23%. Bottom line is WEAR SUNSCREEN!
Replies to "Yes, I have had several surgeries to remove squamous cell carcinomas and one Mohs surgery to..."
Cfbauer --
Thank you so much for your very detailed response, and for sharing your tips on what works and was does not for actinic keratosis.
Was lucky and got the very last available appointment in 2022 with the dermatologist slated for Dec 14 (for the external lip lesions).
Thereafter, I will pursue the issue of what appears to be leukoplakia on the inside of the lips/cheeks/mouth.
I find it interesting that both of these issues are surfacing at the same time.
Once again, I thank you for your advice.
Will update when I have more info.
Blessings
Hello, if you don’t mind me asking. How long ago were you diagnosed? I was just diagnosed on Sunday 11/27/22 and I am terrified! I see the ENT today because I had a small skin tag on my tongue that was sent for biopsy and that was positive for squamous cell carcinoma. What advice can you offer me?
Discovered last night large lump about the size of a grape under the tongue. ENT appointment in 2 weeks.
Still have swollen lymph node behind ear (right side).
Still have ulceration at the site of biopsy performed on lip in Oct 22, diagnosing advanced actinic keratosis. The scheduled vermilionectomy was canceled yesterday by the doc and rescheduled for end of Feb.
Lesions inside cheek still present. They are not painful.
Starting to think all these symptoms are linked.
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@cfbauer Like you, I have had the same things happen to me. In 2008 they removed a amelanotic [colorless] melanoma on my right forearm, resulting in 32 stitches. Before that it wasn't unusual for me to have actinic keratosis removed at every skin check, or a basal cell removal. I can recall all the way back to the late 80's.
Using fluorouracil cream does indeed pronounce the "hidden" keratosis spots. It freaked me out the first time it happened; I went running back to the dermatologist, since they hadn't told me about that side effect!
I have had several spots that were treated as actinic keratosis morph into squamous cell issues. The latest one is in the middle of my left eyebrow, treated with MOHS surgery. While it was treated for a couple years with the frozen nitrogen, that wasn't enough. Being very watchful, and knowing your own skin and conditions, is critical to good health. Two years ago MOHS surgery also was used to treat anodular basal cell skin cancer near my collarbone that had spread out below the skin surface, resulting in an interesting "J" shaped incision and scar.
Yep, wear your sunscreen all year around.
Ginger