Medical Treatments

Medical Problems

Bowen's Disease Hampshire UK

• Bowen's disease is a pre-cancer. Over a decade, 10-20% will turn into squamous cell carcinoma.

• At the Wessex Skin Clinic we have the full range of treatments to hand and you will be treated by Dr Fairris who is one of the UK's top Consultant Dermatologists. He has been successfully treating Bowen's Disease since the 1980s.

What is Bowen's Disease?

Bowen's disease is a pre-cancer growing on the outside of the body where it can do no harm.

What causes Bowen's Disease?

Bowen's disease is caused by the cumulative effects of ultraviolet light upon the DNA in skin cells.

What will happen to Bowen's Disease if it is left untreated?

Over a ten-year period, 10-20% of areas of Bowen's disease will turn into squamous cell carcinoma. If this happens, the area thickens, ulcerates or starts to bleed or weep regularly. At this stage it must be removed surgically.

How can Bowen's Disease be treated?

Surgery has been the gold standard treatment.

However, photodynamic therapy (PDT) is now more commonly used because of the following advantages:

Greater convenience
A better cosmetic result
Quicker healing
Better healing at sites with a poor blood suply, like the shin and calves

Efudix cream, cryotherapy and Aldara cream are also used to treat Bowen's disease but the side-effects are more severe and prolonged than those associated with photodynamic therapy .