Bowen's disease is a superficial squamous cell carcinoma in situ.

Bowen's disease is most common in sun-exposed areas but may arise at any location. Lesions can be solitary or multiple. They are red-brown and scaly or crusted, with little induration; they frequently resemble a localized thin plaque of psoriasis, dermatitis, or a dermatophyte infection. Diagnosis is by biopsy.

Treatment depends on the tumor's characteristics and may involve topical chemotherapy, curettage and electrodesiccation, surgical excision, or cryosurgery.

Last full review/revision October 2008 by Gregory L. Wells, MD