NORD is very grateful to Colin A. Morton, MD, Consulting
Dermatologist, NHS Forth Valley, Stirling, UK, for assistance in
the preparation of this report. Synonyms of Bowen Disease -
Squamous cell carcinoma in situ - No subdivisions found. Bowen
disease is a rare skin disorder. Affected individuals develop a
slow-growing, reddish scaly patch or plaque on the skin. Sun
exposed areas of the skin are most often affected. Bowen disease
only affects the outermost layer of the skin (epidermis).
Lesions are usually not painful or may not be associated with
any symptoms (asymptomatic). In most cases, treatment is highly
successful. Bowen disease is considered a pre-cancerous
condition, although the risk of developing skin cancer is less
than 10 percent. The disorder usually affects older adults. The
exact cause of Bowen disease is unknown, although there are
identified risk factors such as chronic sun exposure. Bowen
disease was first described in the medical literature by a
physician named JT Bowen in 1912. Bowen dis