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Glossary
Actinic Keratoses:
The early beginnings of skin cancer that have potential to progress to
invasive squamous cell carcinoma. This most common lesion of the
outermost layer of the skin is caused by long-term exposure to sunlight
(specifically to ultraviolet wavelengths). Fair-skinned persons are at
highest risk.
Cutaneous horn:
An extreme, highly visible form of actinic Keratoses.
Keratinocytes:
The tough-walled skin cells that make up more than 90 percent of the
outer layer of the skin (epidermis).
Squamous cell carcinoma:
The second most common skin cancer of the epidermis. Long-term exposure
to solar radiation is regarded as a causative factor in squamous cell
carcinoma. Actinic keratoses are lesions that are the early beginnings
of skin cancer and may progress to invasive squamous cell carcinoma.
Ultraviolet radiation:
The "sunburn" and "suntan" wavelengths of solar
radiation. Ultraviolet radiation is the skin-damaging spectrum of
sunlight. |
