This information is about a skin condition called Bowen’s disease. In a small number of people, Bowen’s disease that hasn't been treated may develop into a skin cancer called squamous cell cancer (SCC). Bowen’s disease looks like a red, scaly patch on the skin. It is caused by the abnormal growth of cells called keratinocytes in the outer layer of the skin (epidermis). These cells don’t spread into the deeper layers of the skin.
Bowen’s disease is sometimes called squamous cell carcinoma in-situ. Untreated cases of Bowen’s disease may develop into squamous cell cancer in a small number of people (about 3-5 out of every 100 who have it). This is a common, curable type of skin cancer which affects the outermost cells of the skin but can spread to deeper layers of skin. If left untreated for a long time, squamous cell cancer can spread to other parts of the body. Bowen’s disease is more…
