Is Bowens disease serious?

Is Bowens disease serious?

Bowen’s disease itself is not usually serious. It tends to grow very slowly over months or years, and there are several very effective treatments for it.

How do you get Bowen’s disease?

Scientists aren’t sure exactly what causes the other forms of Bowen’s disease. However, long-term sun exposure and aging may increase your odds of getting many skin cancers, including this one. Poisoning with arsenic also appears to make you more likely to get this early form of skin cancer.

Can Bowen’s disease spread?

Doctors call Bowen’s disease pre invasive. That means that there are cancer cells there, but they are only in the outermost layer of skin, the epidermis. Sometimes it can spread along the skin surface. If left untreated, there is a small chance that Bowen’s disease can spread into the deeper layers of the skin.

What is the difference between Bowen’s disease and actinic keratosis?

Actinic keratoses are usually small in size (0.5–2.0 cms) and look like patches of rough, scaly skin which vary in colour. They are usually pink but can be red, or tan, a combination of all of these, or the same colour as normal skin. Bowen’s disease patches are usually 0.5–2.0 cms in size.

Is Bowen’s disease a skin cancer?

Bowen’s disease causes one or more small patches of scaly red skin. It occurs when there is a growth of abnormal cells in the outer layer of skin (the epidermis) in the affected area. It is not a skin cancer but it is important because it can sometimes develop into a skin cancer. For this reason, treatment is usually advised.

Where does Bowen disease affect the body?

Although Bowen disease occurs most often on sun exposed areas of the skin, it can develop anywhere on the body, even areas of the skin that are not usually exposed to the sun. The disorder most often develops on the lower legs. Less commonly, the head, neck, palms, soles and genitals can be affected.

How is Bowen’s disease diagnosed?

Bowen’s disease is usually suspected by its typical appearance on the skin. However, to make a diagnosis, a small sample of skin (a biopsy) may be taken. This is then examined in a laboratory. Bowen’s disease will have a typical appearance when examined under a microscope.

What medications are used to treat Bowen disease?

Two common topical medications used to treat Bowen disease are 5-fluorouracil and imiquimod 5%. These treatments may be used alone or in conjunction with other therapies. 5-fluorouracil works by destroying the abnormal skin cells.