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Bowen's disease

Bowen's disease is squamous cell carcinoma in situ: a very superficial form of skin cancer in which abnormal cells are still confined to the top layer of skin. It often causes a slowly growing, scaly reddish-brown patch that can resemble eczema or psoriasis. A biopsy usually confirms the diagnosis. Treatment is important because some patches can progress to invasive squamous cell carcinoma.

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  • Bowen's disease is squamous cell carcinoma in situ. This means abnormal cells are confined to the epidermis and have not invaded more deeply.
  • The patch usually grows slowly and may look like a scaly reddish-brown plaque, but its appearance varies. It is therefore often mistaken for eczema, psoriasis or a fungal infection.
  • Although superficial, it is a form of skin cancer. Treatment matters because some patches can progress to invasive squamous cell carcinoma.
  • A biopsy usually provides the definitive diagnosis. Looking alone is often not enough to identify a patch with certainty.
  • Follow-up remains important after treatment, particularly with extensive sun damage or several suspicious skin patches.

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Further reading

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Squamous cell skin cancerSquamous cell skin cancer often develops on sun-damaged skin. A growing scaly, crusted, bleeding or non-healing lesion needs assessment and usually confirmation with a skin biopsy. Early treatment often cures it.
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Basal cell carcinomaBasal cell carcinoma is a common skin cancer that usually grows slowly and almost never spreads to other parts of the body. Without treatment, however, it can grow further and damage surrounding tissue.