Bowenoid Papulosis 

  • Author: Edward A DiPreta, MD; Chief Editor: Dirk M Elston, MD   more...
 
Updated: Mar 1, 2012
 

Background

Bowenoid papulosis was originally described in 1977 by Kopf and Bart as papules on the penis. Bowenoid papulosis now is known to occur on the genitalia of both sexes in sexually active people. Bowenoid papulosis is manifested as papules that are induced virally by human papillomavirus (HPV) and demonstrate a distinctive histopathology (bowenoid dysplasia). Many bowenoid papulosis lesions appear to run a benign course, although a number of case reports associate bowenoid papulosis with malignant invasive transformation (2.6%).

Bowenoid papulosis may be considered to be a transitional state between a genital wart and Bowen disease. The rate of transformation of bowenoid papulosis lesions is unknown. Clearly, bowenoid papulosis lesions have some malignant potential, but they may be treated with locally destructive modalities, sparing the surrounding tissues. Bowenoid papulosis lesions often are multifocal, and patients should be observed for recurrence and for the possibility of invasive or in situ malignancy.

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Pathophysiology

Bowenoid papulosis is a focal epidermal hyperplasia and dysplasia induced by HPV infection (most commonly by HPV 16). The result is a papule demonstrating scattered atypical cells or full-thickness epidermal atypia that some view as analogous to squamous cell carcinoma in situ. This epidermal atypia is sometimes known as bowenoid dysplasia.

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Epidemiology

Frequency

United States

Bowenoid papulosis lesions are related clinically to genital warts. They share the same age of onset in patients and are transmitted sexually. Because bowenoid papulosis lesions frequently are treated destructively as warts and without histopathologic examination, the true frequency of bowenoid papulosis is unknown but is believed to be underestimated. With locally destructive therapy, the risk of invasive carcinoma in bowenoid papulosis appears to be low.

Mortality/Morbidity

Cervical bowenoid papulosis lesions are associated with an increased incidence of abnormal cervical smears. Although bowenoid papulosis has a low rate of developing invasive characteristics (2.6%), yearly serial examinations are recommended because of the possibility of recurrence.

Race

Bowenoid papulosis affects all races equally.

Sex

The male-to-female ratio for bowenoid papulosis is equal.

Age

Bowenoid papulosis occurs primarily in young, sexually active adults, with a mean age of 31 years.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Edward A DiPreta, MD  Dermatologist, DiPreta Dermatology

Edward A DiPreta, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, American Society for MOHS Surgery, and Medical Association of Georgia

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Kurt Maggio, MD  Director of Dermatologic Surgery and Cutaneous Oncology, Assistant Chief, Department of Dermatology, Walter Reed Army Medical Center

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

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.

Michael J Wells, MD  Associate Professor, Department of Dermatology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Paul L Foster School of Medicine

Michael J Wells, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, and Texas Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Lester F Libow, MD  Dermatopathologist, South Texas Dermatopathology Laboratory

Lester F Libow, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Society of Dermatopathology, and Texas Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

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: AMGEN Consulting fee Consulting; AMGEN Grant/research funds Investigator; Genentech Grant/research funds investigator; Centocor Consulting fee Consulting; Abbott Grant/research funds investigator; Abbott Consulting fee Consulting; Novartis investigator; Pfizer Grant/research funds investigator; Celgene Consulting fee DMC Chair; NIAMS and NHLBI Grant/research funds investigator

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD  Director, Ackerman Academy of Dermatopathology, New York

Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

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Bowenoid papulosa histopathology (hematoxylin and eosin, magnification 40X).
Bowenoid papulosa histopathology (hematoxylin and eosin, magnification 400X).
Typical appearance of bowenoid papulosis in the female.
 
 
 
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