What is actinic cheilitis?

Actinic cheilitis, also known as actinic cheilosis, is a precancerous lesion on the lip boundary. This is often caused by chronic exposure to the sun and damage. The term Actinic is derived from the Greek word Actis , which means Ray, with reference to the sun's rays, while cheilitis means lip inflammation. Symptoms of actinic cheilitis include the loss of vermillion or red edge of the lip, thickening, coloring and scales. It is more common in men who are over 50 years old, and in individuals complicated by lights who are chronically exposed to the sun. Ultraviolet rays damage cells and their DNA, resulting in changes such as surface dermis thickening, blue -elastic fiber formation or elastosis fibroblasts damaged by the sun, increased keratin production and increasing the core ratio to cytoplasm or atypia. which concerns a premalignant lesion in other sunlights such as face, back of hands and arms.Both actinic cheilitis and actinic keratosis can cause spinocellular cell carcinoma.

Actinic cheilitis usually develops very slowly and the affected person does not notice this change at first. The first symptoms of actinic cheilitis that occur include slight lip swelling, loss of vermillions between lips and surrounding skin, and some areas with pale and redness. When it deteriorates, the area becomes rough, reinforced, scaly and dry. There may also be obtained dyskeratotic leukoplakia, which manifests itself as white plaques on the lips.

Some people develop painless ulcers in the participating area, especially if they are exposed to a slight trauma. These ulcers can exist for months or year, the patient actually goes to the doctor. The ulcers that last for more than two months increase the suspicion of malignant degeneration and should be subjected to biopsy.

actinic cheilosis is irreversible andApproximately 6-10% of cases eventually develop on spinocellular carcinoma, so the consensus of doctors treat them as soon as it is diagnosed. Confirmation of the diagnosis is through the skin biopsy. The possibilities of actinic cheilitis include the current use of 5-fluorouracil or imiquimod, electrocurgery, chemical cortex, scalpel vermionicenectomy or shaving of lips and laser evaporation of carbon dioxide. These methods lead to the destruction or elimination of the affected epithelium, but can cause pain and swelling after treatment. Fortunately, these treatment options are therapeutic and represent a low recurrence rate.