Squamous cell carcinoma in situ

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
up to a few centimetres across
itchy but isn't always

The patch can appear anywhere on the skin, but is especially common on exposed areaslike the lower legs, neck and head. Sometimes they can affect the groin area and, in men, the penis.

If the patch bleeds, starts to turn into an open sore (ulcer) or develops a lump, it could be a sign it has turned into squamous cell skin cancer.

Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018

Articles for squamous cell carcinoma in situ

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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