eMedicine Specialties > Dermatology > Malignant Neoplasms

Erythroplasia of Queyrat (Bowen Disease of the Glans Penis): Differential Diagnoses & Workup

Author: Joseph L Wilde, MD, Mohs Micrographic Surgery, Chief, Department of Dermatology, Brooke Army Medical Center
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Jan 15, 2008

Differential Diagnoses

Balanitis Circumscripta Plasmacellularis
Contact Dermatitis, Irritant
Balanitis Xerotica Obliterans
Drug-Induced Bullous Disorders
Balanoposthitis
Psoriasis, Plaque
Candidiasis, Mucosal
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Contact Dermatitis, Allergic

Other Problems to Be Considered

The following mnemonic (FAINT) may be helpful:

Fixed drug eruption or other drug-induced dermatoses
Allergic/irritant contact dermatitis
Infection
Neoplasia
Trauma
 
Other problems to consider include psoriatic/systemic disorders and balanitis (specific types).2

Workup

Laboratory Studies

Diagnosis of EQ must be made via skin biopsy of the affected area. Pay special attention to areas of ulceration or distinct papillomatous lesions, and palpate inguinal nodes. The following diagnostic procedures may be useful in excluding other infectious processes:

  • Bacterial/viral/fungal culture
  • Tzanck preparation
  • Potassium hydroxide examination
  • Gram stain

Histologic Findings

The epidermis shows acanthosis and loss of normal architecture. It is replaced by atypical hyperplastic keratinocytes characterized by disorientation, dyskeratosis, and mitotic figures. The rete ridges appear elongated and thickened with intervening dermal papillae reduced to thin strands.

More on Erythroplasia of Queyrat (Bowen Disease of the Glans Penis)

Overview: Erythroplasia of Queyrat (Bowen Disease of the Glans Penis)
Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Erythroplasia of Queyrat (Bowen Disease of the Glans Penis)
Treatment & Medication: Erythroplasia of Queyrat (Bowen Disease of the Glans Penis)
Follow-up: Erythroplasia of Queyrat (Bowen Disease of the Glans Penis)
Multimedia: Erythroplasia of Queyrat (Bowen Disease of the Glans Penis)
References

References

  1. Goette DK. Review of erythroplasia of Queyrat and its treatment. Urology. Oct 1976;8(4):311-5. [Medline].

  2. Davis-Daneshfar A, Trüeb RM. Bowen's disease of the glans penis (erythroplasia of Queyrat) in plasma cell balanitis. Cutis. Jun 2000;65(6):395-8. [Medline].

  3. Arlette JP. Treatment of Bowen's disease and erythroplasia of Queyrat. Br J Dermatol. Nov 2003;149 Suppl 66:43-9. [Medline].

  4. Harrington KJ, Price PM, Fry L, Witherow RO. Erythroplasia of Queyrat treated with isotretinoin. Lancet. Oct 16 1993;342(8877):994-5. [Medline].

  5. Orengo I, Rosen T, Guill CK. Treatment of squamous cell carcinoma in situ of the penis with 5% imiquimod cream: a case report. J Am Acad Dermatol. Oct 2002;47(4 Suppl):S225-8. [Medline].

  6. Micali G, Nasca MR, De Pasquale R. Erythroplasia of Queyrat treated with imiquimod 5% cream. J Am Acad Dermatol. Nov 2006;55(5):901-3. [Medline].

  7. Lee MR, Ryman W. Erythroplasia of Queyrat treated with topical methyl aminolevulinate photodynamic therapy. Australas J Dermatol. Aug 2005;46(3):196-8. [Medline].

  8. Brown MD, Zachary CB, Grekin RC, Swanson NA. Genital tumors: their management by micrographic surgery. J Am Acad Dermatol. Jan 1988;18(1 Pt 1):115-22. [Medline].

  9. Conejo-Mir JS, Muñoz MA, Linares M, Rodríguez L, Serrano A. Carbon dioxide laser treatment of erythroplasia of Queyrat: a revisited treatment to this condition. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. Sep 2005;19(5):643-4. [Medline].

  10. Gerber GS. Carcinoma in situ of the penis. J Urol. Apr 1994;151(4):829-33. [Medline].

  11. Graham JH, Helwig EB. Erythroplasia of Queyrat. A clinicopathologic and histochemical study. Cancer. Dec 1973;32(6):1396-414. [Medline].

Further Reading

Keywords

carcinoma in situ of the penis, Bowen disease, penile carcinoma, penile neoplasia, EQ, erythroplasia of the glans penis, uncircumcised men, erythematous plaques, penile Bowen disease, papillomavirus-induced carcinoma in situ

Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Joseph L Wilde, MD, Mohs Micrographic Surgery, Chief, Department of Dermatology, Brooke Army Medical Center
Joseph L Wilde, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Mohs Micrographic Surgery and Cutaneous Oncology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Mark W Cobb, MD, Consulting Staff, WNC Dermatological Associates
Mark W Cobb, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, and American Society of Dermatopathology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Richard P Vinson, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Dermatology, Texas Tech University School of Medicine; Consulting Staff, Mountain View Dermatology, PA
Richard P Vinson, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, Association of Military Dermatologists, Texas Dermatological Society, and Texas Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Managing Editor

Mary Farley, MD, Dermatologic Surgeon/Mohs Surgeon, Department of Dermatology, The Skin Surgery Center
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Joel M Gelfand, MD, MSCE, Medical Director, Clinical Studies Unit, Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, Associate Scholar, Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Pennsylvania
Joel M Gelfand, MD, MSCE is a member of the following medical societies: Society for Investigative Dermatology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD, Director, Department of Dermatology, Geisinger Medical Center
Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

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