Articles
31 January 2022
Vol. 14 No. 3 (2022)
https://doi.org/10.4081/dr.2022.9392

Attitudes among dermatologists regarding actinic keratosis treatment options

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skin tumor, non-melanoma, dermatology, therapy, actinic keratosis
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Authors

Gaia Moretta
IDI-IRCCS, Dermatological Research Hospital, Rome, Italy.
Tonia Samela
IDI-IRCCS, Dermatological Research Hospital, Rome, Italy.
Francesca Sampogna
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7624-3290
IDI-IRCCS, Dermatological Research Hospital, Rome, Italy.
Francesco Ricci
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8388-9268
IDI-IRCCS, Dermatological Research Hospital, Rome, Italy.
Fabio Carlesimo
IDI-IRCCS, Dermatological Research Hospital, Rome, Italy.
Annarita Panebianco
IDI-IRCCS, Dermatological Research Hospital, Rome, Italy.
Angelo Massimiliano D’Erme
Unit of Dermatology, Livorno Hospital, Livorno, Italy.
Giovanni Di Lella
IDI-IRCCS, Dermatological Research Hospital, Rome, Italy.
Sabatino Pallotta
IDI-IRCCS, Dermatological Research Hospital, Rome, Italy.
Elena Dellambra
IDI-IRCCS, Dermatological Research Hospital, Rome, Italy.
Damiano Abeni
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0167-7617
IDI-IRCCS, Dermatological Research Hospital, Italy.
Luca Fania
IDI-IRCCS, Dermatological Research Hospital, Rome, Italy.

Actinic keratosis (AK) is considered a precancerous lesion that can develop into invasive squamous cell carcinoma. Its prevalence is increasing, and it is estimated that it affects between 1% and 44% of the adult population worldwide. Advanced age, fair skin phototypes, and cumulative sun exposure are the main risk factors for AK. Therapies for AK consists of lesion-directed treatment (i.e., cryotherapy, curettage, electrocoagulation, and laser therapy) or field therapy [i.e., photodynamic therapy (PDT), 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), diclofenac sodium (DIC), imiquimod (IMQ), and ingenol mebutate (Ing Meb)]. The type of therapy chosen is determined by the number and location of AKs, the patient’s condition, and the patient’s tolerability and compliance. In this survey, we collected information from 110 Italian dermatologists about their knowledge and attitudes toward various AK therapeutic approaches. In our study, we discovered that cryotherapy and PDT are the most used treatments for AK, while surgery and laser therapy are the least commonly used. The most commonly used topical therapies are DIC and IMQ 3.75 percent cream, followed by IMQ 5 percent cream, Ing Meb, and 5-FU. The correct treatment for AK can be difficult to choose, but adherence to therapy is critical for good results. Given the high and continuing rise in the incidence of AK, dermatologists’ knowledge of various therapeutic approaches is critical.

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How to Cite



Attitudes among dermatologists regarding actinic keratosis treatment options. (2022). Dermatology Reports, 14(3). https://doi.org/10.4081/dr.2022.9392