Bowenoid papulosis is a cutaneous condition characterized by the presence of pigmented verrucous
papules 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 res ...
, the causative agent of
genital warts.
The lesions have a typical dysplastic histology and are generally considered benign, although a small percentage will develop malignant characteristics.
It is considered as a pre-malignant condition. Other terms used to describe the condition are: Erythroplasia of Queyrat, Squamous cell carcinoma in situ and Bowen's disease. The term ''bowenoid papulosis'' was coined in 1977 by Kopf and Bart and is named after dermatologist
John Templeton Bowen
John Templeton Bowen (8 July 1857 – 3 December 1940) was an American dermatologist. He was a professor of dermatology at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Bowen obtained his doctoral degree in medical sciences from the Harvard University in 1884 ...
.
The term "intraepithelial neoplasia" defines a premalignant intraepithelial change.
On the vulva it is termed VIN (vulvar or vulval intraepithelial neoplasia); on the penis, PIN (penile intraepithelial neoplasia); and on or around the anus, AIN (anal intraepithelial neoplasia). The terminology has been very confusing and it is now recommended that the terms Bowen's disease, erythroplasia of Queyrat, and bowenoid papulosis should not be used for lesions in the anogenital area. However, dermatologists still recognize a distinct clinical variant, bowenoid papulosis, characterized by discrete papules in a younger age group and a tendency for spontaneous regression. Additionally, some authorities believe that erythroplasia of Queyrat and Bowen's disease remain useful terms in men.
See also
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Skin lesion
*
Sexually transmitted infection
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), also referred to as sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and the older term venereal diseases, are infections that are Transmission (medicine), spread by Human sexual activity, sexual activity, especi ...
References
External links
Epidermal nevi, neoplasms, and cysts
Virus-related cutaneous conditions
Papillomavirus-associated diseases
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