Basal cell carcinoma

Bowen's disease

Bowen's disease is a very early form of squamous cell skin cancer. It's also called squamous cell carcinoma in situ. It's a very slow growing cancer.

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. This means it has become an invasive cancer called squamous cell carcinoma. So because of this your doctor either treats or monitors the disease.

Like squamous cell cancer of the skin, Bowen's disease can grow anywhere. It is most common on the:

head and neck
trunk
arms
legs

Risks and causes

In many cases of Bowen's disease, we don't know what has caused it. But it's most often related to sun exposure or use of sunbeds over a long period of time. But as it can occur in areas of the body not normally exposed to the sun, this is not the only cause.

Other possible links include people who have a weak immune system. This could be because they have an illness affecting their immune system. For example, acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Or they might be taking medicines to lower their immune system. For example, after having an organ transplant such as a liver or kidney transplant.

One type of Bowen's disease is called bowenoid papulosis. It's associated with a type of virus called human papillomavirus (HPV) 16. This type of HPV is also associated with cervical cancer and cancer of the penis.

Another possible cause is long term exposure to arsenic. This can occur through drinking contaminated water over a long period of time.

Symptoms

Usually, Bowen's disease appears as red scaly patches. Sometimes they look like raised spots or warts. Often the affected skin looks red and sore.

Bowenoid papulosis usually occurs on the pubic or genital area in men and women. This appears as brown or dark brown patches. When Bowen's disease is found in the vulval area (the outside parts of a woman's genitals) or in the mouth, there can be white patches on the skin called leukoplakia.

Another symptom of Bowen's disease is itching. But often there are no symptoms apart from a patch on the skin. In some cases, the affected skin may become sore and bleed.

Treatment

There are several treatments for Bowen's disease, such as:

imiquimod cream
chemotherapy creams which are put straight onto the affected skin
freezing with liquid nitrogen
surgery
photodynamic therapy (PDT) - a special light and light sensitive drug are used to kill cancer cells
radiotherapy
laser

All these treatments can work well. The treatment you have will often depend on which part of your body is affected. Because there are many treatments and this is a very early type of skin cancer, the cure rates are high.

Find out more about the treatment for non melanoma skin cancer

Last reviewed: 30 Jan 2023

Next review due: 30 Jan 2026

What is skin cancer?

Non melanoma skin cancer includes basal cell skin cancer, squamous cell skin cancer and other rare types.

Types of skin cancer

The 2 main types of non melanoma skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).

Symptoms

Symptoms of skin cancer can include: a sore that doesn't heal, an area of skin that looks unusual, red, itchy, bleeds or scabs for more than 4 weeks.

Treatment for skin cancer

You usually have surgery to treat skin cancer, but you may have other treatments such as chemotherapy cream, radiotherapy, targeted and immunotherapy or photodynamic therapy.

Coping

Coping with a skin cancer diagnosis can be difficult. Help and support is available. There are things you can do and people who can help.

Skin cancer main page

Non melanoma skin cancer includes basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and other rare types. They tend to develop most often on skin that has been exposed to the sun.