Bowen's Disease: Literature Review

Abstract

The paper presents the results of the bibliographic research materials on Bowen's disease over the past 15 years. The aetiopathogenesis of the disease is not yet fully understood; however, most experts designate the following trigger factors: prolonged use of drugs that suppress the immune response, human papillomavirus, light skin type, and excessive exposure to sunlight, ionizing radiation, arsenic intake. Clinical manifestations of Bowen's disease take anular, verrucous, pigmented, and acral forms. Atypical variants of the disease include “giant” Bowen's disease, and cases of localization of lesions on the face. The paper describes the clinical symptoms of each clinical form of Bowen's disease, diagnostic methods, and various treatment methods used in foreign and domestic practice. Comparative results of research on the treatment methods of Bowen's disease include such methods as surgical removal, Mohs micrographic surgery, photodynamic therapy, curettage, cryotherapy, laser ablation, radiation therapy as well as conservative treatment methods. The latter include topical application of external remedies (fluorouracil, imiquimod, diclofenac), as they can be quite effective in certain cases. The advantages of photodynamic therapy are indicated both in terms of high efficiency and in the safety spectrum of treatment of Bowen's disease.