Before a neoplasm develops on the skin, there are other signs of disease from which neoplastic conditions develop. Some of the conditions from which skin cancers can develop include solar keratosis, horn of the skin, parchment or pigmented skin, white keratosis or skin damage by X-ray. These conditions have different origins, but it is possible to treat them and to prevent further development.
Table of contents:
Pre-cancerous condition
A pre-cancerous skin condition is understood to be a skin condition that, in the process of its further development and after a longer period of time, is likely to develop into a neoplastic disease. The most common neoplasms that develop in this way are malignant neoplasms, including the most dangerous for humans and the most malignant, squamous cell carcinoma of the skin.
Solar keratosis
One of the conditions considered in the pre-cancerous category is solar (senile) keratosis. The lesions appear as patches on the skin and are the result of chronic exposure to sunlight. Some melanin grains are hollow, others overloaded with pigment, and their uneven distribution gives a blotchy appearance on sun-damaged skin. This is most commonly seen on the face, back of the hands, earlobes or bald scalp.
Another pre-cancerous condition is cutaneous keratosis, which develops from an existing common wart or solar keratosis. It presents as excessive keratosis of the skin, usually on an erythematous base, and resembles a horn in its structure. It is most commonly located on the face or earlobes and the visible lesion is the basis for surgical removal of the tissue and submission to histopathological examination.
Parchment skin
Parchment skin,or pigmented skin, is a genetic condition, but is also considered a precancerous condition. The characteristic features of this condition are a high sensitivity to light and a mottled appearance of the skin due to pigmentary changes, freckles, discolouration, hyperpigmentation or even skin atrophy. Exposed areas of the skin, such as the hands or face, are most prone to symptoms.
White keratosis
White keratosis, is a condition affecting the vast majority of men over the age of 40. It is the result of harmful factors irritating the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract or chronic mechanical trauma to it. It may also be implicated by the development of other conditions such as lichen planus, scleroderma or atrophic keratosis. Characteristic of this white keratosis are white cicatrices with a rough and uneven surface occurring mainly on the oral and genital mucosa.
Late X-ray skin damage
Late X-ray skin damage is also seen as a pre-cancerous condition. This damage is the result of chronic exposure to X-rays used in the treatment of other cancers and the clinical picture is characterised by macular discolouration and hyperpigmentation, induration of the skin and subcutaneous tissue and keratoses in the buttocks and abdomen.
Listed above are some of the conditions that are considered precancerous. Each of these requires specialist consultation and appropriate treatment, as well as monitoring for the development of cancer.
