Radiation therapy for Bowen's disease: lessons for lesions of the lower extremity

A retrospective outcomes review of radiotherapy for Bowen's disease was performed to analyze all patients treated with radiation therapy between 1993 and 1997 at the Naval Medical Center, San Diego.

Eleven patients with 16 lesions were treated with a median time-dose-fractionation value of 105 (range, 93-108).

All 11 patients were without evidence of disease within 1 to 2 months of completing treatment. Four of the 16 lesions (25%) were unhealed at time of last follow-up; the remainder healed with good cosmetic result. All unhealed lesions were on the lower extremity. Median follow-up was 27.5 months (range, 9-57 months).

Radiation remains a good therapeutic option in selected patients with Bowen's disease, but caution should be exercised before selection of patients with lesions in potentially poor healing areas, such as the lower extremity.