Talk:Actinic keratosis

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[edit] infection/spread

I think AK is not supposed to be infectious, or even self-infectious. The article should say so, one way or the other. But there still needs to be an explanation for why AKs would be clustered, for example on the forehead, yet absent from the ears, which should have had similar sun exposure? And the article needs photos, esp of what treatment with Imiquimod (Aldara) looks like! 69.87.194.177 20:01, 13 June 2006 (UTC)

I am guessing that AK is not infectious, that only if it turns into SCC can it then potentially metastasize. But it does seem like each individual area of AK traces back to just a single cell that mutates and then spreads in that area. -69.87.193.168 02:07, 6 March 2007 (UTC)

[edit] simplistic

This article is much too superficial and simplistic. No detailed discussion of the mutations involved. No details about the layers of skin involved, or cross-section diagrams, or clear links to such. We need this kind of material and more, but in words we can understand: "In both histologic and molecular parameters, AKs share features with squamous cell carcinoma. AK is an epidermal lesion characterized by aggregates of atypical, pleomorphic keratinocytes at the basal layer that may extend upwards to involve the granular and cornified layers. The epidermis itself shows an abnormal architecture, with acanthosis, parakeratosis, and dyskeratoses. Cellular atypia is present, and the keratinocytes vary in size and shape. Mitotic figures are present." -69.87.193.168 02:07, 6 March 2007 (UTC)