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Bowen's disease is a rare skin disorder that causes slow-growing, reddish scaly patch or plaque on the skin. These lesions may be flat or slightly raised. The lesions are normally not associated with any symptoms, but, occasionally, can itch, ooze pus, bleed or become crusted and/or tender.

This disease is considered a pre-cancerous condition, although risk of developing skin cancer is less than 10 per cent. The disorder usually affects older adults.  Sun exposed areas of the skin are most often affected. Bowen's disease only affects the outermost layer of the skin (epidermis). Lesions are usually not painful or may not be associated with any symptoms (asymptomatic).

In most cases, treatment is highly successful. The exact cause of Bowen's disease is unknown, although there are identified risk factors like chronic sun exposure.

Chronic sun exposure and aging are believed to be two major risk factors for developing the disorder.

Individuals with fair skin and individuals who spend a lot of time outdoors in the sun are at a greater risk of developing Bowen's disease. Individuals who take drugs to suppress the immune system (usually taken to treat an immune system disorder) are also at a greater risk, than the general population, of developing Bowen's disease.

Bowen's disease was first described in medical literature by a physician named JT Bowen in 1912. Bowen's disease is also known as squamous cell carcinoma in situ, and is generally considered an early, noninvasive form of intraepidermal squamous cell carcinoma. Intraepidermal means that the disease occurs inside the epidermal layer of the skin.

This disorder is easily mistaken for other skin disorders such as eczema or psoriasis and can be overlooked because there may be no associated symptoms. Bowen's disease may sometimes first be noticed during a routine skin examination.