Bowen’s disease refers to slow-growing cancerous cell changes that causes scaly patches on the skin. They may also ooze pus. Some may need treatment.
Bowen’s disease causes a person to develop slow growing skin lesions. The lesions may appear as red-brown patches or dry, scaly plaques.
These patches may also:
bleed or ooze pus
itch
be tender to the touch
Other skin conditions that Bowen’s disease can resemble include:
eczema
fungus
psoriasis
some other rashes
Although many people with Bowen’s disease only have one lesion, 10–20% of people with the condition develop multiple skin lesions in different areas of the body.
Sometimes, these skin lesions can become cancerous. For this reason, a person with Bowen’s disease should be aware of the signs that a skin lesion is cancerous. These signs include:
hardening of a skin lesion
a nodule that feels very tender to the touch
the appearance of a flesh-colored nodule or lump
a skin nodule that bleeds easily
If a person notices these changes to their skin, they should see a dermatologist immediately.
Doctors consider several factors when treating Bowen’s disease. These include the location of any lesions, their appearance, and a person’s overall age and health.
Each treatment option has different risks and benefits, and a person should discuss these with a doctor.
Treatment options may include:
Cryotherapy: This treatment involves applying a freezing substance — argon gas or liquid nitrogen — to destroy skin cells.
Curettage: This surgical procedure uses special tools to burn the lesion and scrape it away from the skin.
Photodynamic therapy: A doctor applies a special drug to the Bowen’s disease lesion. The drug reacts to light exposure, damaging and destroying the skin cells.
Surgical removal: This approach involves removing the lesion and closing the incision. Some people opt for a special surgical approach called Mohs micrographic surgery, which helps preserve tissue. This option may be ideal for lesions on the head, neck, and fingernails.
Doctors do not always recommend treating Bowen’s disease lesions. Sometimes, the lesions are slow growing.
If a person has other conditions that may affect their ability to heal following treatment, such as diabetes, a doctor may recommend watching and waiting to see how the Bowen’s disease lesion develops before treating it.
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