Precancerous Skin Lesions

Precancerous skin lesions, also classified as in situ carcinomas, refer to various skin lesions that can transform into invasive skin cancers. These lesions represent the early stages of epithelial skin tumors and show different clinical and histological manifestations on the skin or mucosa. The main types of precancerous skin lesions include actinic keratosis, lentigo maligna, Bowen’s disease, and lesions involving the mucous or semi-mucous membranes, such as actinic cheilitis and leukoplakia. Because of the potential for malignant transformation, early diagnosis is important for proper treatment.