A common superficial form of keratinocyte cancer

Bowen’s disease is derived from squamous cells (flat epidermal cells that make keratin) - the malignant cells are confined to the epidermis

Most often found in sun-damaged individuals

Risk factors:

• sun exposure/UV exposure
• arsenic ingestion
• Ionising radiation
• HPV infection
• Immune duppression

PC

• One or more irregular scaly plaques of up to several cm in diameter
• colour - often an orange red colour, may also be brown
• site - most often sun exposed sites of ears, face, hands, lower legs
  • may start to grow under a nail
• When there are many plaques, distribution is NOT symmetrical

Investigations

*Usually a clinical diagnosis

• Dermatoscopy - red scaly irregular plaque with crops of rounded and coiled blood vessels