Treatment of large facial Bowen's disease: case report

Bowen's disease (BD; squamous cell carcinoma in situ) is a common, persistent condition that can be related to chronic sun damage, and consequently, is usually located around the head and neck area and lower limbs. Bowen's disease can be treated with a variety of methods, including surgery or laser therapy, but large lesions tend to scar postexcision and hence are difficult to treat surgically. Here we present the case of a 75-year-old woman with a 20-year history of facial BD unabated by treatment with a variety of topical agents and cryotherapy. Application of imiquimod 5% cream on alternate nights for 6 weeks resulted in total clearance with no recurrence observed after 8 months.