Bowen’s Disease of the Penis Treated With Topical Imiquimod 5% Cream
May 2008 | Volume 7 | Issue 5 | Case Reports | 483 | Copyright © May 2008
Sumayah J. Taliaferro MD, George F. Cohen MD
Abstract
Bowen’s disease of the penis is relatively uncommon, but the prevalence has increased in recent years. Risk factors for penile
squamous cell cancer include smoking, infection with human papilloma virus (HPV), immunosuppression, and a history
of conditions such as balanitis, phimosis, and lichen sclerosis et atrophicus. Bowen’s disease of the penis is often
managed by local excision of the lesion. Less invasive methods are now employed more frequently and include laser ablation,
electrodessication and curettage, cryosurgery, application of 5-fluorouracil, and topical imiquimod 5% cream. This
case report describes the successful treatment of Bowen’s disease of the penis with topical imiquimod 5% cream in a 42-
year-old African American male with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease.