Bowen's skin disease is a form of squamous cell carcinoma in situ skin cancer, which means it is a pre-invasive form of cancer, located only on the surface of the skin. The condition has a 90 percent cure rate.
Causes
Arsenic exposure, excessive sun exposure, aging and the wart virus (HPV-16), which results in cervical cancer, are all causes of Bowen's skin disease.
Features
Bowen's skin disease makes red, scaly patches on the skin, sometimes raised and resembling warts. When located on the vulva area of women, white patches are also present.
Symptoms
Symptoms associated with Bowen's skin disease include itching, crusting, oozing and bleeding.
Treatment
Treatment options for Bowen's skin disease include chemotherapy creams applied directly to the affected area, surgery, laser destruction, radiation and freezing with liquid nitrogen.
Warning
Left untreated, Bowen's skin disease can turn into invasive cancer.
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