Erythroplasia of Queyrat with Zoon's balanitis: a diagnostic dilemma

Bowen's Disease

Bowen's disease (BD) is an in-situ squamous cell carcinoma of epidermis. The etiology of BD is multifactorial with high incidence among Caucasians. BD is common in photo-exposed areas of skin, but other sites can also be involved. Lesions are usually solitary. The morphology of BD differs based on age of the lesion, site of origin, and the degree of keratinization. BD is considered as the "lull before the storm," which precedes an overt squamous cell carcinoma. Histopathology is the gold standard diagnostic modality to confirm the diagnosis. Immunohistochemistry, dermoscopy, and reflectance confocal microscopy are the adjuvant modalities used in the diagnosis of BD. The treatment depends on various factors like site, size, immune status, patient's age, esthetic outcome, etc. The available therapeutic modalities include topical chemotherapy, surgical modalities, light-based modalities, and destructive therapies. It requires a combined effort of dermatologist, oncosurgeon, and plastic surgeon to plan and execute the management in various presentations of BD.

In situ squamous cell carcinoma of male and female external genitalia

In situ squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of male and female genitalia can present as Bowen's disease (BD), erythroplasia of Queyrat, Bowenoid papulosis, Paget's disease, pseudoepitheliomatous keratotic, and micaceous balanitis. BD is SCC in situ. It affects both skin and mucous membranes and has the potential to progress to invasive SCC. BD can be found on any body site, including both sun-exposed and non-sun-exposed regions of the body. However, BD presenting on the genitalia is rare. Here, we present a report of three cases of in situ genital malignancies. Two females had BD, and one male had erythroplasia of Queyrat.

A case-control study of risk factors associated with Zoon balanitis in men

BACKGROUND

Zoon balanitis (ZB) is a chronic inflammatory benign mucositis. Its etiopathogenesis still remains hypothetical and speculative.

OBJECTIVES

To determine risk factors associated with genital ZB in men.

METHODS

This is a case-control study including 30 patients diagnosed with ZB and 54 patients with dermatological diseases other than ZB enrolled in the Dermatological Clinic of the University of Padova, Italy, from September 2015 to June 2018. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used for analysis of data collected.

RESULTS

According to multivariate logistic regression analysis, risk factors for ZB were as follows: the mean daily cigarettes consumption (OR 1.065; 95% CI 1.8-11.4; P = 0.006) and the number of weekly foreskin retractions (OR 0.847; 95% CI 5.5-24.1; P = 0.003). There were no statistically significant differences between cases and controls according to age, presence of circumcision as well in number of sexual partners.

CONCLUSIONS

To our knowledge, this is the first case-control study showing that smoking and poor genital hygiene are associated with being affected by ZB.