It impacts the squamous cells – which are inside the outermost layer of skin – and is once in a while referred to as squamous mobile carcinoma in situ.
The patch is usually very slow-growing, however there is a small hazard it could become a greater critical type of skin most cancers if left untreated.that's easily treatable. The main sign is a red, scaly patch on the skin.
It affects the squamous cells – which are in the outermost layer of skin – and is sometimes referred to as squamous cell carcinoma in situ.
The patch is usually very slow-growing, but there's a small chance it could turn into a more serious type of skin cancer if left untreated.
Is Bowen's disease serious?
Bowen's disease itself isn't usually serious. It tends to grow very slowly over months or years, and there are several very effective treatments for it.
The concern is that Bowen's disease can eventually develop into a different type of skin cancer called squamous cell skin cancer if it's left undiagnosed or neglected.
It's estimated this happens in up to 1 in 20 to 1 in 30 people with untreated Bowen's disease.
Squamous cell skin cancer is often treatable, but it can spread deeper into the body and is sometimes very serious.
Symptoms of Bowen's disease
Bowen's disease usually appears as a patch on the skin that has clear edges and doesn't heal. Some people have more than one patch.
Picture of Bowen's disease
The patch may be:
red or pink
scaly or crusty
flat or raised
up to a few centimetres across
itchy – but isn't always
The patch can appear anywhere on the skin, but is especially common on exposed areas like the lower legs, neck and head. Sometimes they can affect the groin area and, in men, the penis.
If the patch bleeds, starts to turn into an open sore (ulcer) or develops a lump, it could be a sign it has turned into squamous cell skin cancer.
When to get medical advice
See your GP if you have a persistent red, scaly patch of skin and don't know the cause.
It's important to get a proper diagnosis, as Bowen's disease can look like other conditions, such as psoriasis or eczema.
If necessary, your GP will refer you to a skin specialist (dermatologist) to determine what the problem is.
If they're not sure about the cause, they may need to remove a small sample of skin so it can be looked at more closely (a biopsy).
Causes of Bowen's disease
Bowen's disease usually affects older people in their 60s and 70s.
The exact cause is unclear, but it has been closely linked with:
long-term exposure to the sun or use of sunbeds – especially in people with fair skin
having a weak immune system – for example, it's more common in people taking medication to suppress their immune system after an organ transplant, or those with AIDS
previously having radiotherapy treatment
the human papillomavirus (HPV) – a common virus that often affects the genital area and can cause genital warts
Bowen's disease doesn't run in families and you can't pass it on to others.
Treatments for Bowen's disease
There are a number of treatment options for Bowen's disease. Talk to your dermatologist about which treatment is most suitable for you.
The main treatments are:
cryotherapy – liquid nitrogen is sprayed on to the affected skin to freeze it. The procedure may be painful and the skin may remain a bit uncomfortable for a few days. The affected skin will scab over and fall off within a few weeks.
imiquimod cream or chemotherapy cream (such as 5-fluorouracil) – this is applied to the affected skin regularly for a few weeks. It may cause your skin to become red and inflamed before it gets better.
curettage and cautery – the affected area of skin is scraped away under local anaesthetic, where the skin is numbed, and heat or electricity is used to stop any bleeding, leaving the area to scab over and heal after a few weeks.
photodynamic therapy (PDT) – a light-sensitive cream is applied to the affected skin, and a laser is directed on to the skin a few hours later to destroy the abnormal cells. The treatment session lasts about 20-45 minutes. You may need more than one session.
surgery – the abnormal skin is cut out under local anaesthetic and stitches may be needed afterwards.
In a few cases, your dermatologist may just advise monitoring your skin closely – for example, if it's very slow-growing and they feel the side effects of treatment will outweigh the benefits.
Looking after your skin after treatment
After treatment, you may need follow-up appointments with your dermatologist or GP to see if you need any further treatment.
If you had surgery, you may need to have any stitches removed at your GP surgery a week or two later.
A brain abscess is a pus-filled swelling in the brain. It usually occurs when bacteria or fungi enter the brain tissue after an infection or severe head injury.
Although the risk of developing a brain abscess is extremely low in England, it is a life-threatening condition and should be diagnosed and treated as soon as possible.
Symptoms of a brain abscess
The symptoms of a brain abscess may develop quickly or slowly but can include:
headache – which is often severe, located in a single section of the head and can't be relieved with painkillers
changes in mental state – such as confusion or irritability
problems with nerve function – such as muscle weakness, slurred speech or paralysis on one side of the body
a high temperature (fever) of 38C (100.4F) or above
seizures (fits)
nausea and vomiting
stiff neck
changes in vision – such as blurring, greying of vision or double vision (due to the abscess putting pressure on the optic nerve)
When to seek medical advice
Any symptoms that suggest a problem with the brain and nervous system should be treated as a medical emergency. These include:
slurred speech
muscle weakness or paralysis
seizures occurring in a person with no previous history of seizures
If you or someone you know experiences any of these symptoms, phone 999 immediately and ask for an ambulance.
Any symptoms that suggest a worsening infection, such as fever and vomiting, should be reported to your GP immediately.
If your GP isn't available, contact your local out-of-hours service or call NHS 111.
Causes of a brain abscess
There are three main ways a brain abscess can develop. These are:
an infection in another part of the skull – such as an ear infection, sinusitis or dental abscess, which can spread directly into the brain
an infection in another part of the body – for example, the infection that causes pneumonia spreading into the brain via the blood
trauma, such as a severe head injury – that cracks open the skull, allowing bacteria or fungi to enter the brain
However, in some cases, the source of the infection remains unknown.
Read more about the causes of a brain abscess.
Diagnosing a brain abscess
If a brain abscess is suspected, an initial assessment will be made based on your symptoms, medical history and whether you've had a recent infection or a weakened immune system.
Blood tests can also be carried out to check for an infection.
If you're referred to hospital for further tests, you may have either:
a computerised tomography (CT) scan – a series of X-rays are used to produce a detailed image of the inside of your body
a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan – which uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce a detailed image of the inside of your body.
If an abscess is found, a procedure known as CT-guided aspiration may be used to remove a sample of pus for testing. This involves using a CT scan to guide a needle to the site of the abscess.
Treating a brain abscess
A brain abscess is regarded as a medical emergency. Swelling caused by the abscess can disrupt the blood and oxygen supply to the brain. There's also a risk of the abscess bursting (rupturing).
If left untreated, a brain abscess can cause permanent brain damage and could be fatal.
A brain abscess is usually treated using a combination of:
medication – either antibiotics or antifungals
surgery – either draining the pus through a hole in the skull (simple aspiration) or opening the skull and removing the abscess entirely (craniotomy)
Treatment with antibiotics often begins before a diagnosis is confirmed, to reduce the risk of complications.
After treatment:
see your GP if an existing patch starts to bleed, change in appearance or develops a lump – don't wait for your follow-up appointment
see your GP if you notice any worrying new patches on your skin
make sure you protect your skin from the sun – wear protective clothing and use a sunscreen with a high sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30
Is Bowen's disease severe?
Bowen's ailment itself isn't usually critical. It has a tendency to grow very slowly over months or years, and there are numerous very powerful remedies for it.
the concern is that Bowen's sickness can sooner or later become a extraordinary sort of pores and skin most cancers referred to as squamous cell pores and skin cancer if it's left undiagnosed or unnoticed.
it is anticipated this takes place in up to 1 in 20 to at least one in 30 humans with untreated Bowen's disorder.
Squamous cell pores and skin most cancers is regularly treatable, however it may spread deeper into the body and is on occasion very extreme.
symptoms of Bowen's sickness
Bowen's ailment normally appears as a patch on the skin that has clean edges and does not heal. some humans have a couple of patch.
photograph of Bowen's sickness
The patch can be:
purple or pink
scaly or crusty
flat or raised
up to three centimetres across
itchy – however is not
The patch can seem anywhere on the pores and skin, but is especially not unusual on exposed regions like the decrease legs, neck and head. from time to time they can have an effect on the groin region and, in men, the penis.
If the patch bleeds, begins to turn into an open sore (ulcer) or develops a lump, it may be a signal it has become squamous cell pores and skin most cancers.
whilst to get scientific recommendation
See your GP if you have a continual pink, scaly patch of pores and skin and do not know the reason.
it is critical to get a right diagnosis, as Bowen's sickness can appear to be other conditions, consisting of psoriasis or eczema.
If necessary, your GP will refer you to a pores and skin specialist (dermatologist) to determine what the hassle is.
If they're no longer sure about the motive, they will want to do away with a small sample of pores and skin so it can be checked out greater carefully (a biopsy).
causes of Bowen's disease
Bowen's disorder typically impacts older human beings of their 60s and 70s.
the precise cause is doubtful, however it has been intently related with:
long-time period exposure to the sun or use of sunbeds – mainly in people with fair skin
having a weak immune device – as an example, it's more commonplace in human beings taking medication to suppress their immune system after an organ transplant, or people with AIDS
previously having radiotherapy remedy
the human papillomavirus (HPV) – a not unusual virus that regularly impacts the genital area and can purpose genital warts
Bowen's ailment would not run in households and you cannot pass it directly to others.
treatments for Bowen's sickness
There are a number of treatment alternatives for Bowen's disorder. speak in your dermatologist approximately which remedy is most appropriate for you.
the main remedies are:
cryotherapy – liquid nitrogen is sprayed on to the affected pores and skin to freeze it. The method can be painful and the skin may additionally stay a bit uncomfortable for some days. The affected skin will scab over and fall off inside some weeks.
imiquimod cream or chemotherapy cream (which include 5-fluorouracil) – that is applied to the affected skin often for a few weeks. it may motive your skin to end up purple and inflamed before it gets better.
curettage and cautery – the affected area of pores and skin is scraped away below nearby anaesthetic, wherein the pores and skin is numbed, and warmth or energy is used to prevent any bleeding, leaving the region to scab over and heal after a few weeks.
photodynamic therapy (PDT) – a mild-touchy cream is applied to the affected skin, and a laser is directed directly to the pores and skin some hours later to spoil the bizarre cells. The treatment consultation lasts about 20-forty five mins. you can want multiple session.
surgical operation – the strange skin is cut out below neighborhood anaesthetic and stitches may be wanted afterwards.
In some instances, your dermatologist may additionally simply endorse monitoring your skin carefully – for instance, if it's very sluggish-growing and they experience the aspect results of remedy will outweigh the advantages.
searching after your pores and skin after treatment
After remedy, you may need comply with-up appointments together with your dermatologist or GP to peer if you want any further treatment.
if you had surgical procedure, you could need to have any stitches eliminated at your GP surgical treatment per week or later.
A mind abscess is a pus-filled swelling inside the brain. It commonly happens when micro organism or fungi input the mind tissue after an contamination or extreme head harm.
even though the risk of growing a mind abscess is extraordinarily low in England, it is a lifestyles-threatening circumstance and should be identified and treated as quickly as viable.
signs of a brain abscess
The symptoms of a mind abscess may additionally develop quick or slowly however can encompass:
headache – which is regularly severe, located in a unmarried phase of the head and can not be relieved with painkillers
modifications in mental kingdom – which include confusion or irritability
issues with nerve characteristic – which includes muscle weak point, slurred speech or paralysis on one facet of the frame
a excessive temperature (fever) of 38C (one hundred.4F) or above
seizures (suits)
nausea and vomiting
stiff neck
modifications in vision – which includes blurring, greying of vision or double vision (due to the abscess putting pressure on the optic nerve)
whilst to are trying to find scientific advice
Any signs and symptoms that propose a hassle with the brain and frightened device should be treated as a medical emergency. these consist of:
slurred speech
muscle weak spot or paralysis
seizures occurring in a person without a preceding records of seizures
if you or someone you realize studies any of those symptoms, smartphone 999 without delay and ask for an ambulance.
Any signs that endorse a worsening contamination, along with fever and vomiting, ought to be said in your GP immediately.
if your GP isn't available, contact your local out-of-hours service or call NHS 111.
causes of a mind abscess
There are three predominant methods a brain abscess can broaden. these are:
an contamination in every other a part of the skull – consisting of an ear contamination, sinusitis or dental abscess, that can unfold without delay into the brain
an contamination in every other a part of the frame – for example, the contamination that causes pneumonia spreading into the mind thru the blood
trauma, such as a excessive head damage – that cracks open the cranium, allowing bacteria or fungi to go into the mind
but, in some cases, the supply of the contamination remains unknown.
examine greater approximately the causes of a mind abscess.
Diagnosing a brain abscess
If a mind abscess is suspected, an initial assessment can be made based totally to your symptoms, clinical records and whether you've had a current contamination or a weakened immune system.
Blood exams can also be achieved to check for an infection.
if you're mentioned sanatorium for in addition assessments, you could have both:
a computerised tomography (CT) scan – a chain of X-rays are used to supply a detailed photo of the inner of your body
a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test – which makes use of strong magnetic fields and radio waves to provide a detailed photo of the inside of your body.
If an abscess is observed, a method called CT-guided aspiration may be used to remove a sample of pus for trying out. This entails using a CT scan to manual a needle to the website online of the abscess.
Treating a mind abscess
A brain abscess is seemed as a scientific emergency. Swelling because of the abscess can disrupt the blood and oxygen supply to the brain. there may be additionally a danger of the abscess bursting (rupturing).
If left untreated, a mind abscess can motive everlasting mind damage and can be fatal.
A mind abscess is commonly handled the usage of a combination of:
medicinal drug – either antibiotics or antifungals
surgical operation – both draining the pus through a hole in the cranium (simple aspiration) or starting the skull and getting rid of the abscess absolutely (craniotomy)
remedy with antibiotics frequently begins earlier than a prognosis is showed, to lessen the danger of complications.
After treatment:
see your GP if an existing patch starts to bleed, alternate in look or develops a lump – don't look forward to your follow-up appointment
see your GP if you word any annoying new patches for your pores and skin
make sure you shield your pores and skin from the sun – put on protective apparel and use a sunscreen with a excessive sun safety issue (SPF) of at least 30
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