Squamous Cell Carcinoma In Situ | Bowen’s Disease

Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Situ (SCCIS), also known as Bowen’s Disease, is an early stage of squamous cell skin cancer where the cancerous cells are confined to the top layer of the skin (the epidermis). At this stage, the carcinoma has not yet invaded deeper tissues, which makes it highly treatable when caught early.

Symptoms:

• SCCIS typically appears as a persistent, scaly red patch with irregular borders.

• It may resemble eczema or psoriasis, but unlike those conditions, it doesn’t resolve on its own.

• Lesions often occur on sun-exposed areas, such as the face, neck, hands, and arms, but can also appear in non-sun-exposed areas.

Risk Factors:

• Sun Exposure: Long-term exposure to UV radiation is the primary risk factor for SCCIS.

• Fair Skin: Individuals with lighter skin tones are more susceptible.

• Weakened Immune System: People with weakened immune systems, including those who have undergone organ transplants, are at higher risk.

• HPV Infection: Certain strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV) are linked to SCCIS, especially when lesions form in the genital region.

Treatment Options:

• Electrosurgery and Curettage (ED&C): The cancerous tissue is scraped away, followed by the electrocautery to kill any remaining affected cells.

• Excision: Surgical removal of the lesion with some margin of healthy tissue ensures that all cancerous cells are removed.

• Topical Treatments: Creams such as 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) or imiquimod may be used to treat localized lesions, particularly when surgery is not an option.

If left untreated, SCCIS can progress to invasive squamous cell carcinoma, which may spread to deeper layers of the skin and even metastasize to other parts of the body.

Prevention:

• Limit sun exposure and use broad-spectrum sunscreen.

• Wear protective clothing and hats when outdoors.

• Regularly check your skin for new or changing lesions and visit our dermatologists annually for a professional skin exam.