Bowen's and non-Bowen's squamous intraepidermal neoplasia of the skin. Relationship to internal malignancy

Abstract

The relationship of Bowen''s disease to internal malignancy is controversial. Cases (72) of Bowen''s disease were studied and compared to 58 cases of non-Bowen''s squamous intraepidermal neoplasia (SIN). Clinical data were obtained in all cases to identify carcinogens and to detect the occurrence of other cutaneous or internal malignancies. Internal malignancy was not found more commonly in patients with Bowen''s disease than in those with other forms of SIN, but 5.7% of all patients with SIN had a concurrent internal malignancy. Other cutaneous malignancies were more frequent in these groups and may relate to sun exposure. Evidence for arsenic ingestion was not found in most patients. SIN as Bowen''s or non-Bowen''s type may serve as an important marker for the presence of internal malignancy.