Therapeutic options for epithelial skin tumors: Actinic keratoses, Bowen disease, squamous cell carcinoma, and basal cell carcinoma [Therapieoptionen bei epithelialen hauttumoren: Aktinische keratosen, morbus Bowen, spinozelluläres karzinom und basalzellkarzinom]

There has been worldwide a significant rise in the incidence of epithelial skin tumors and their precursors in the past years with an increased number of younger patients affected. The risk factors are identified. The choice of the appropriate treatment for each individual is crucial. Major consideration include high cure rate, low long-term recurrence rate and few side effects. In the following article different therapeutic approaches for actinic keratoses, Bowen's disease, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are presented and analysed. © Springer Medizin Verlag 2005.