Bowenoid papulosis is a cutaneous condition characterized by the presence of pigmented verrucous

papule A papule is a small, well-defined bump in the skin lesion, skin. It may have a rounded, pointed or flat top, and may have a umbilication, dip. It can appear with a Peduncle (anatomy), stalk, be thread-like or look warty. It can be soft or firm a ...

s on the body of the penis.Freedberg, et al. (2003). ''Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine''. (6th ed.). McGraw-Hill. . They are associated with

human papillomavirus Human papillomavirus infection (HPV infection) is caused by a DNA virus from the ''Papillomaviridae'' family. Many HPV infections cause no symptoms and 90% resolve spontaneously within two years. In some cases, an HPV infection persists and r ...

, the causative agent of genital warts. The term ''bowenoid papulosis'' was coined in 1977 by Kopf and Bart and is named after dermatologist John Templeton Bowen.

Signs and symptoms

Bowenoid papulosis is defined by the appearance of one or more reddish-brown

papules A papule is a small, well-defined bump in the skin. It may have a rounded, pointed or flat top, and may have a dip. It can appear with a stalk, be thread-like or look warty. It can be soft or firm and its surface may be rough or smooth. Some ...

or plaques in the anogenital region that can last for a few weeks to several years. Although some patients occasionally report itching in relation to affected perianal skin areas, the majority of individuals do not exhibit any symptoms.

Causes

Although the exact cause of bowenoid papulosis is unknown, immunologic, viral, and chemical factors have all been proposed. There have been multiple occurrences of bowenoid papulosis where HPV DNA was found.

Diagnosis

Bowenoid papulosis diagnosis requires a history, histologic examination, and clinical description of the condition.

Treatment

Bowenoid papulosis is typically treated with locally destructive or ablative therapies, including 5-fluorouracil,

electrocoagulation Electrocoagulation (EC) is a technique used for wastewater treatment, wash water treatment, industrially processed water, and medical treatment. Electrocoagulation has become a rapidly growing area of wastewater treatment due to its ability to remo ...

cryotherapy Cryotherapy, sometimes known as cold therapy, is the local or general use of low temperatures in medical therapy. Cryotherapy can be used in many ways, including whole body exposure for therapeutic health benefits or may be used locally to treat ...

, and surgical excision or razor excision. Imiquimod has also been applied with good results.

References

External links

DermNet

{{Skin tumors, epidermis Epidermal nevi, neoplasms, and cysts Virus-related cutaneous conditions Papillomavirus-associated diseases