HealthInfo West Coast-Te Tai Poutini

Precancerous & noncancerous skin lesions

Solar keratoses (also known as actinic keratoses, AK or sun spots) are rough or scaly patches on the skin in areas exposed to the sun. They are harmless, but they are a sign of the skin damage caused by the UV light of the sun. There is a small risk that they eventually turn into a squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and so are considered to be precancerous.

If you think you may have any of these, make sure you get regular skin checks with a doctor. The doctor can discuss the pros and cons of treating the solar keratosis, and keep an eye on it. As solar keratoses are a sign of sun damage, people who have them are at more risk of skin cancer. Read about how to prevent skin cancers.

Options for treating these lesions include using liquid nitrogen spray to freeze them, gently scraping the lesion (curettage), or removing it by cutting it out (excision). In certain circumstances your doctor may recommend a cream to treat your lesions. If you are prescribed a cream, it is important that you carefully follow the specific instructions your doctor has given you. You will find information about how to use these creams in the links below.

Seborrhoeic keratoses are common, harmless skin lesions that appear during adult life.

  HealthInfo recommends the following pages

• DermNet NZ
  • Imiquimod

    Explanation of what imiquimod (Aldara) is used for, how it works, and what to expect from treatment.

  • Liquid nitrogen (cryotherapy)

    Explains what cryotherapy is used for, what happens afterwards and long-term results.

  • Seborrhoeic keratoses

    What seborrhoeic keratoses look like, why they happen and how they are treated.

  • Solar keratoses

    An explanation of what causes solar keratoses, what they look like (includes photos), and how they are treated.

  • 5-fluorouracil cream

    Explanation of what 5-fluorouracil (Efudix) is used for, how it works and what to expect from treatment.

• My Medicines – Fluorouracil (skin cream)

  Information about fluorouracil cream written in plain English.

• Valeant Pharmaceuticals – Important information for patients using EFUDIX fluorouracil 5% w/w

  This leaflet from the manufacturer has instructions on how to use the cream correctly to get the best results. Your doctor may advise you which areas to treat by drawing on the diagram in this leaflet. Commercial disclaimer

  The material on this linked page contains useful and helpful information, but it has been prepared for commercial purposes.

Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Endorsed by clinical directors, Dermatology and Plastic Surgery, Canterbury DHB. Last reviewed January 2017. Last updated February 2019.

Page reference: 87510

Review key: HIPCS-87510