Squamous cell carcinoma in situ
Introduction
Bowen's disease is a very early form of skin cancer that's easily treatable. The main sign is a red, scaly patchon the skin.
It affectsthe squamous cellswhich are in the outermost layer of skinand is sometimes referred to as squamous cell carcinoma in situ.
The patch is usuallyvery slow-growing, but there's a small chance it could turn into a more serious type of skin cancerif left untreated.
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Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 5 Jan 2017
Introduction
Find out about the symptoms, causes and treatments for Bowen's disease, a very early and easily treatable form of skin cancer.
Is Bowen's disease serious?
Bowen's disease itself isn't usually serious. It tends to grow very slowly over months or years, and there are several very effective treatments for it. The concern is that Bowen's disease can eventu
Symptoms of Bowen's disease
Bowen's disease usually appears as a patch on the skin that has clear edges and doesn't heal. Some people have more than one patch. The patch may be: red or pink scaly or crusty flat or raised
When to get medical advice
See your GP if you have a persistent red, scaly patch of skin and don't know the cause. It's important to get a proper diagnosis, as Bowen's disease can look like other conditions, such as psoriasis
Causes of Bowen's disease
Bowen's disease usually affects older people in their 60s and 70s. The exact cause is unclear, but it has been closely linked with: long-term exposure to the sun or use of sunbeds especially in p
Treatments for Bowen's disease
There are a number of treatment options for Bowen's disease.Talk to your dermatologist about which treatment is most suitable for you. The main treatments are: cryotherapy liquid nitrogen is spra
Looking after your skin after treatment
After treatment, you may need follow-up appointmentswith your dermatologist or GP to see if you need any further treatment. If you had surgery, youmay need to haveany stitches removed at your GP surg
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