Precancerous Skin Lesions

Early Detection. Proactive Treatment. Healthier Skin.

Precancerous skin lesions are abnormal skin growths that have the potential to develop into skin cancer over time. One of the most common types is actinic keratosis, which is frequently caused by years of cumulative sun exposure.

At Zand Dermatology, we emphasize early detection and appropriate treatment to help protect your long-term skin health.

What Are the Signs of Precancerous Skin Lesions?

Actinic keratoses may appear as:

• Rough, dry, or scaly patches
• Pink, red, brown, or skin-colored spots
• Persistent areas that feel like sandpaper
• Crusty or thickened growths
• Tender or irritated patches

These lesions commonly occur on sun-exposed areas such as the face, scalp, ears, arms, and hands.

How Are Precancerous Lesions Treated?

Treatment recommendations depend on the lesion's size, location, appearance, and the extent of sun damage.

Options may include:

• Cryotherapy: Freezing individual lesions with liquid nitrogen.
• Prescription Topical Medications: Treating visible lesions and, in some cases, surrounding sun-damaged skin.
• Photodynamic Therapy: Using a light-activated medication to treat selected precancerous lesions.
• Biopsy: Examining suspicious lesions when skin cancer cannot be ruled out.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are precancerous lesions skin cancer?

Actinic keratoses are not invasive skin cancer, but some can progress into squamous cell carcinoma. Because it is difficult to predict which lesions will progress, evaluation and appropriate management are important.

Do precancerous spots need treatment?

Many do. Your dermatologist will recommend treatment or monitoring based on the clinical findings.

Can precancerous lesions return?

Yes. New lesions can develop, especially in people with significant sun exposure. Regular skin examinations and sun protection are important.

Schedule Your Skin Examination

Early detection makes a difference. Schedule a comprehensive skin evaluation at Zand Dermatology to identify and manage suspicious or precancerous skin lesions.