Q. A 62-year-old man comes to the physician's office for a skin lesion on the dorsum of his left hand for the past 2 months. It is not painful or itchy. He is concerned that it could be cancer because he has long hours of sun exposure as he works in a construction company. He has 15 pack-year smoking history and consumes alcohol occasionally. His temperature is 98.4°F (36.9°C), pulse is 88/min, blood pressure is 130/80 mmHg, and respirations are 15/min. Physical examination shows a non-tender red papule measuring 2 x 3 mm on the dorsum of the left hand with no ulceration or crusting. The skin in the adjacent region shows atrophic changes. A similar lesion is noted on his right ear. Hyperpigmentation changes and telangiectasias are noted in the extremities and face. Which of the following statements is true regarding the disease this patient is suffering from?