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NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms

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Bowen disease  listen  (BOH-en dih-ZEEZ)

  A skin disease marked by scaly or thickened patches on the skin and often caused by prolonged exposure to arsenic. The patches often occur on sun-exposed areas of the skin and in older white men. These patches may become malignant (cancer). Also called precancerous dermatitis and precancerous dermatosis.