Expert Consensus on Cosmetic Outcomes After Treatment of Actinic Keratosis

J Drugs Dermatol. 2017 Mar 1;16(3):260-264.

Abstract

<p>Dermatologists treat actinic keratosis (AK) primarily because these lesions have the potential to progress to invasive squamous cell carcinoma. Patients, on the other hand, generally seek treatment to remove the lesions and achieve an improved appearance of their skin following treatment. In selecting a treatment option for AK, dermatologists should consider post-treatment cosmesis, because cosmetic outcomes differ across AK treatments. To obtain expert opinion on the cosmetic sequelae related to chronically photodamaged skin and the treatment of AK, an expert panel meeting among dermatologists was conducted in February 2016. These experts reviewed current treatment options for photodamage, including AK, and discussed the relative merits of the various cosmetic assessments commonly used by investigators and patients in both clinical trial and dermatology practice settings. A main goal of the expert panel meeting was to propose assessment tools that could be specifically designed to characterize cosmesis results after treatment of AK. The panel agreed that existing tools for measurement of cosmetic outcomes following treatment of photodamage could also be used to evaluate cosmesis after treatment of AK. Digital photography is probably the best method used for this, with validation by other technologies. Better measurement tools specifically for assessing cosmesis after AK treatment are needed. Once they are developed and validated, regulatory agencies should be educated about the importance of including cosmetic outcomes as a component of product labeling.</p> <p><em>J Drugs Dermatol. 2017;16(3):260-265.</em></p>.

Publication types

  • Consensus Development Conference

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / etiology
  • Consensus*
  • Dermatologists / psychology*
  • Esthetics*
  • Humans
  • Keratosis, Actinic / complications
  • Keratosis, Actinic / drug therapy*
  • Keratosis, Actinic / etiology
  • Patient Reported Outcome Measures
  • Photochemotherapy / methods*
  • Photography
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic
  • Skin Aging / drug effects
  • Skin Aging / radiation effects*
  • Skin Neoplasms / etiology
  • Sunlight / adverse effects*
  • Sunscreening Agents / therapeutic use
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Sunscreening Agents