Bowen's disease, also called squamous cell carcinoma
Bowen's disease, which is also called squamous cell carcinoma in situ (SCC in situ), is a form of skin cancer. The term "in situ" added on the end tells us that this is a surface form of skin cancer. "Invasive" squamous cell carcinomas are the type that grow inward and may spread. SCC in situ is also known as Bowen's disease after the doctor who first described it almost 100 years ago. SCC in situ is usually a red, scaly patch. It tends to be seen on areas frequently exposed to the sun. Some itch, crust or ooze, but most have no particular feeling. SCC in situ may be mistaken for rashes, eczema, fungus or psoriasis. Sometimes they are brown and look like a keratosis or a melanoma. Because of this, a biopsy must usually be done to confirm the diagnosis. If you have had an SCC in situ, you have a higher risk of other skin cancers. For this reason, you will need a regular skin exam by a dermatologist. Untreated, SCC in situ grows larger over time and may spread out to be several inches. 5% of SCC in situ will eventually develop into invasive squamous cell carcinoma if not treated.
Like other forms of skin cancer, SCC in situ is mainly caused by chronic sun exposure and aging. There are two other less important causes which are unique to SCC in situ. The wart virus that causes cervical cancer (HPV 16) is often found to be infecting SCC in situ. It is thought that infection with this virus is one of the reasons why two people may have the same amount of sun damage, but only one keeps getting skin cancers. The other factor that causes SCC in situ is arsenic, the same poison made famous by the play "Arsenic and Old Lace" and the read more
