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Professional /
Dermatologic Disorders /
Cancers of the Skin /
... /
Bowen Disease /
IN THIS TOPIC

Symptoms and Signs

Diagnosis

Treatment

Prevention

OTHER TOPICS IN THIS CHAPTER

Cancers of the Skin
Overview of Skin Cancer
Atypical Fibroxanthoma
Basal Cell Carcinoma
Bowen Disease
Kaposi Sarcoma
Keratoacanthoma
Melanoma
Merkel Cell Carcinoma
Paget Disease of the Nipple
Squamous Cell Carcinoma

ADDITIONAL CONTENT

Test your knowledge

Overview of Bacterial Skin Infections
Bacterial skin infections can be classified as skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI) or acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI). Which of the following is an example of an SSTI?
Keep Music in Mind
Keep Music in Mind
Keep Music in Mind

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Bowen Disease

(Bowen's Disease; Intraepidermal Squamous Cell Carcinoma)

By

Gregory L. Wells

, MD,

  • Assistant Professor of Dermatology
  • Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine
  • Lab Director and Partner
  • Ada West Dermatology and Dermatopathology

Last full review/revision Dec 2020| Content last modified Dec 2020
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Topic Resources

Bowen disease is a superficial squamous cell carcinoma in situ.

(See also Overview of Skin Cancer.)

Bowen disease is most common in sun-exposed areas but may arise at any location.

Symptoms and Signs

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 or dermatitis or a dermatophyte infection.

Diagnosis

  • Biopsy

Diagnosis of Bowen disease is by biopsy, which shows full-thickness epidermal dysplasia but no dermal involvement.

Treatment

  • Removal or ablation via local methods

Treatment of Bowen disease depends on the lesion’s characteristics and may involve topical chemotherapy, curettage and electrodesiccation, surgical excision, electrocautery, or cryosurgery.

Prevention

Because many skin cancers seem to be related to ultraviolet (UV) exposure, a number of measures are recommended to limit exposure.

  • Sun avoidance: Seeking shade, minimizing outdoor activities between 10 AM and 4 PM (when sun's rays are strongest), and avoiding sunbathing and the use of tanning beds

  • Use of protective clothing: Long-sleeved shirts, pants, and broad-brimmed hats

  • Use of sunscreen: At least sun protection factor (SPF) 30 with broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection, used as directed (ie, reapplied every 2 hours and after swimming or sweating); should not be used to prolong sun exposure

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Basal Cell Carcinoma
Kaposi Sarcoma
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