Bowenoid papulosis

Bowenoid papulosis is a recently described condition with a clinically benign appearance of multiple reddish-brown or violaceous papules. The histologic picture, however, is that of squamous-cell carcinoma in situ. In the reported cases the lesions usually occurred on the genitalia of patients in the third or fourth decades of life. We recently encountered a patient who presented with papules in the anal area. Human papillomavirus has been identified as the causative agent. Differentiation from Bowen's disease is usually possible due to the presence of multiple small lesions and the young age of the patients. The long-term consequences of bowenoid papulosis are still unknown. The presence of human papillomavirus in a female or her sexual partner places her at higher risk for cervical neoplasia. The treatment of bowenoid papulosis is ablation or 5-FU cream.