$Unique_ID{BRK03537} $Pretitle{} $Title{Bowenoid Papulosis} $Subject{Bowenoid Papulosis BP Bowen's Disease Condyloma Lichen Planus} $Volume{} $Log{} Copyright (C) 1992 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. 925: Bowenoid Papulosis ** IMPORTANT ** It is possible that the main title of the article (Bowenoid Papulosis) is not the name you expected. Please check the SYNONYMS listing to find the alternate name and disorder subdivisions covered by this article. Synonyms BP Information on the following diseases can be found in the Related Disorders section of this report: Bowen's Disease Condyloma Lichen Planus General Discussion ** REMINDER ** The Information contained in the Rare Disease Database is provided for educational purposes only. It should not be used for diagnostic or treatment purposes. If you wish to obtain more information about this disorder, please contact your personal physician and/or the agencies listed in the "Resources" section of this report. Bowenoid Papulosis is a rare sexually transmitted disorder thought to be caused by human papillomavirus type 16. This disorder is characterized by lesions that are found on the genitals of males and females. The lesions are reddish brown or violet in color, small, solid, raised and sometimes velvety. Symptoms Bowenoid Papulosis is a rare sexually transmitted infection that is characterized by lesions that are typically found on the genitals. These lesions may last from two weeks to several years. Females may be affected inside the vagina, on the clitoris, groin folds, labia major, labia minor and/or anus. Males may be affected on the glans, shaft and/or foreskin of the penis as well as the anus. The lesions found in Bowenoid Papulosis are usually reddish brown or violet in color, small, solid, smooth, raised and velvety. The lesions on females are usually darker than the lesions on males. Many patients with Bowenoid Papulosis often have other types of viral infections that precede this condition. Herpes simplex, human papallomavirus, viral warts, and HIV infection have been found in some patients with this disorder. When viewed under a microscope the Bowenoid Papulosis tissue structure looks like pre-invasive squamous-cell carcinoma (a form of cancer cells). In some cases Bowenoid Papulosis has become malignant. Causes Bowenoid Papulosis is a sexually transmitted disorder thought to be caused by human papillomavirus type 16. Other viruses as well as a suppressed immune system may also play a role in contracting Bowenoid Papulosis. Affected Population Bowenoid Papulosis affects males and females in equal numbers. This disorder is seen in sexually active adults with the average ages being 30 for males and 32 for females. However, Bowenoid Papulosis has been found in patients ranging from ages 3 to 80. It has recently been appearing in increasing numbers worldwide. Related Disorders Symptoms of the following disorders can be similar to those of Bowenoid Papulosis. Comparisons may be useful for a differential diagnosis: Bowen's Disease is characterized by a precancerous, slow growing skin malignancy. The major symptom is a red-brown, scaly or crusted patch on the skin which resembles psoriasis or dermatitis. It may occur on any part of the skin or in the mucous membranes. (For more information on this disorder, choose "Bowen's Disease" as your search term in the Rare Disease Database). Condyloma is a common infectious venereal disease that is caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) and usually transmitted by direct sexual contact. The warts found in this disorder are small, soft, moist, pink or red elevations on the skin or mucous membranes of the genitals, mouth, anus or rectum. Typically the warts form in clusters. (For more information on this disorder, choose "Condyloma" as your search term in the Rare Disease Database). Lichen Planus is a recurrent, itchy, inflammatory eruption of the skin which is characterized by small, separate, angular spots that may grow together forming rough scaly patches. It is often accompanied by oral lesions. Women are most commonly affected by this disorder. The lesions are most commonly found on the joint surfaces of the wrists and on the legs, trunk, glands, penis and mucous membrane of the mouth and vagina. (For more information on this disorder, choose "Lichen Planus" as your search term in the Rare Disease Database). Therapies: Standard Patients with Bowenoid Papulosis should be monitored carefully. In some cases Bowenoid Papulosis may heal spontaneously (without treatment). Sexual activity should be limited in order to avoid infecting other people during the contagious stages of this disorder. Electrosurgery, cryosurgery (surgery in which the tissue is frozen with liquid nitrogen), and/or lazer surgery may be used to remove the lesions when necessary. In some milder cases the use of 5-Fluorouracil (a topical cream) has been successful. Therapies: Investigational Research on skin disorders is ongoing at major medical universities. Progress on the understanding of viral infections has increased during recent years, but there has been little progress in the development of new treatment for viral diseases. This disease entry is based upon medical information available through August 1992. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder. Resources For more information on Bowenoid Papulosis, please contact: National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) P.O. Box 8923 New Fairfield, CT 06812-1783 (203) 746-6518 American Social Health Association 100 Capitola Dr., Suite 200 Research Triangle Park, NC 27713 (919) 361-8400 Council for Sex Information and Education 444 Lincoln Blvd., Suite 107 Venice, CA 90291 National Sexually Transmitted Diseases Hotline (800) 227-8922 NIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) 9000 Rockville Pike Bethesda, MD 20892 (301) 496-5717 Centers for Disease Control (CDC) 1600 Clifton Road , NE Atlanta, GA 30333 (404) 639-3534 References CLINICAL DERMATOLOGY, 2nd Ed.; Thomas P. Habif, M.D., Editor: The C.V. Mosby Company, 1990. Pp. 246. BOWENOID PAPULOSIS: T.T. Rogozinski, et al.; Am Fam Physician (July, 1988, issue 38(1)). Pp. 161-4. BOWENOID PAPULOSIS. DEMONSTRATION OF HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS (HPV) WITH ANTI-HPV IMMUNE SERUM: G.Y. Guillet, et al.; Arch Dermatol (April, 1984, issue 120(4)). Pp. 514-6. BOWENOID PAPULOSIS OF THE GENITALIA: T.R. Wade et al.; Arch Dermatol (March, 1979, issue 115(3)). Pp. 306-8. BOWENOID PAPULOSIS. PRESENCE OF HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS (HPV) STRUCTURAL ANTIGENS AND OF HPV 16-RELATED DNA SEQUENCES: G. Gross et al.; Arch Dermol (July, 1985, issue 121(7)). Pp. 858-63. BOWENOID PAPULOSIS: J.W. LaVoo; Dis Colon Rectum (January, 1987, issue 30(1)). Pp. 62-4. BOWENOID PAPULOSIS OF THE MALE AND FEMALE GENETALIA: S. Obalek et al.; J Am Acad Dermatol (March, 1986, issue 14(3)). Pp. 433-44.