LEVULAN KERASTICK and BLU-U PDT is an in-office therapy that provides high clearance with low downtime for appropriate actinic keratosis patients.

Up to 58 million Americans have actinic keratosis (AK). An AK has the potential to progress to squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), the second most common skin cancer.  While most AKs remain benign, approximately 10 percent develop into SCC within an average of two years.1 Since there is no way to know ahead of time which ones will become cancerous, it is very important to seek a dermatologist’s care. Frequent skin examinations are the key to early detection and prevention.Who are appropriate AK patients?     

• Patients with few minimally to moderately thick AKs of the face or scalp                                          
• Patients with multiple minimally to moderately thick AKs of the face or scalp  
• Patients with minimally to moderately thick AKs in sensitive areas on the face or scalp  

Cancer begins when healthy cells change and grow out of control, forming a mass called a tumor. A tumor can be cancerous or benign. A cancerous tumor is malignant, meaning it can grow and spread to other parts of the body. A benign tumor means the tumor can grow but will not spread.Doctors diagnose more than 3 million Americans with skin cancer each year, making it the most common type of cancer. If skin cancer is found early, it can usually be cured with topical medications applied to the skin, procedures done in the office by a dermatologist, or a relatively simple surgery. As a result, skin cancer is responsible for less than 1% of all cancer deaths.

There are 3 main types of skin cancer:

• Basal cell carcinoma. Basal cells are the round cells found in the lower epidermis. About 80% of skin cancers develop from this type of cell. These cancers are described as basal cell carcinomas. Basal cell carcinoma most often develops on the head and neck. It is mainly caused by sun exposure or develops in people who received radiation therapy as children. This type of skin cancer usually grows slowly and rarely spreads to other parts of the body.
• Squamous cell carcinoma. Most of the epidermis is made up of flat, scale-like cells called squamous cells. Around 20% of skin cancers develop from these cells, and these cancers are called squamous cell carcinomas. Squamous cell carcinoma is mainly caused by sun exposure, but it can develop on skin that has been burned, damaged by chemicals, or exposed to x-rays. Other areas where squamous cell carcinoma is commonly found include the lips; sites of a long-standing scar; and skin outside the mouth, anus, and a woman’s vagina. About 2% to 5% of squamous cell carcinomas spread to other parts of the body, which makes it more likely to spread than basal cell carcinoma.
• Melanoma. Where the epidermis meets the dermis, there are scattered cells called melanocytes. These cells produce the pigment melanin, which gives skin color. Melanoma starts in melanocytes, and it is the most serious type of skin cancer. 

Melanoma, also known as malignant melanoma, is a type of cancer that develops from the pigment-containing cells. Melanomas typically occur in the skin but may rarely occur in the mouth, intestines and eye.  In women they most commonly occur on the legs, while in men they are most common on the back. Sometimes they develop from a mole with concerning changes including an increase in size, irregular edges, change in color, itchiness, or skin breakdown. The primary cause of melanoma is (UV) exposure in those with low levels of skin pigment. The UV light may be from either the sun or tanning devices. About 25% develop from moles. Those with many moles, a history of affected family members.

It’s also helpful to do self skin exams. Checking your own skin for potential concerns is a very simple thing to do as part of your regular health routine, though, remember it’s not a replacement for a professional medical exam. The Skin Cancer Foundation has a very helpful guide for how doing this. It’s actually recommended that you do this kind of self-exam monthly so you can keep track of and monitor any changes in your skin. Make notes of anything unusual or anything that you notice is a new or changing mark on your skin. Remember to check your scalp, the soles of your feet, between toes and fingers, and hard to see places like under your arms.