Actinic keratosis is the most common precancer of the skin. Actinic cheilitis develops on the lips. The appearance of keratoses varies and may include crusted lesions or spots with rough texture that resemble warts. Lesions on the lip have cracks filled with dried blood. Keratoses may evolve into squamous cell carcinoma. As with skin cancer, actinic keratoses results from chronic sun exposure, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. Dysplastic nevi, also called atypical moles, are benign moles that may resemble melanoma and can develop into melanoma.
Freezing
Doctors treat actinic keratoses the same way they destroy some small, early skin cancers. Freezing, also called cryosurgery, the lesions with liquid nitrogen deadens the tissue, the Mayo Clinic explains. The tissue becomes crusted and eventually falls off the skin. Temporary redness and swelling may occur or white spots may remain permanent after the precancer disappears.
Topical Medications
Creams and solutions treat people who have many precancers. A chemical liquid or ointment may be rubbed on the lesion once or twice a day for two to four weeks. Temporary swelling or crusting may occur. Some creams stimulate the immune system to produce interferon that destroys the precancer. The creams may have to be used for several weeks. Acidic gels may be applied twice a day for up to three months for people who are sensitive to other topical creams and liquids, the Skin Cancer Foundation notes.
Chemical Peeling
The process sometimes used for aging skin uses similar chemicals on the precancers. Local anesthesia is used when applying the chemicals, which may cause temporary discoloration. The skin layers of the precancer eventually fall off.
Laser Surgery
A laser beam cuts through the skin tissue for small and narrow areas, such as when precancers are on the face and scalp, or for actinic cheilitis on the lips. Laser therapy may be a secondary treatment when other methods have not worked.
Photodynamic Therapy
A photosensitizing agent applied to lesions often works for precancers on the face and scalp. The area is then exposed to strong lights that activate the chemical agents. The therapy causes little damage to tissue surrounding the lesion.
Biopsy
Dysplastic nevi, which may include multiple moles, are excised for signs of melanoma, the Skin Cancer Foundation explains. In some cases, the entire mole is removed. Because some patients with atypical moles have many of them, they are advised to examine them regularly and have them periodically checked with a dermatologist for any changes that indicate melanoma. A biopsy is performed on any suspected precancerous mole. Some lesions are so small they are removed completely with the biopsy.
