What is true of actinic keratosis?

• A. It can be precancerous.
• B. It is contagious.
• C. It is always benign.
• D. It cures itself quickly.

Answer: (A)

Actinic keratosis is a sun-damaged skin lesion that can be precancerous because the abnormal keratinocytes have the potential to progress to squamous cell carcinoma. This premalignant nature is why it’s taken seriously and treated rather than ignored. It’s not contagious; it arises from ultraviolet damage in the skin rather than an infection. It also doesn’t resolve on its own quickly—without treatment the lesion can persist and may progress over time. Management typically involves removing or treating the lesion with options like cryotherapy or topical therapies (such as 5-fluorouracil or imiquimod) to reduce the risk of progression.