AMELANOTIC SUPERFICIAL SPREADING MALIGNANT-MELANOMA MIMICKING BOWENS-DISEASE

A 67-year-old woman presented with a scary, erythematous plaque, for w hich a clinical diagnosis of Bowen's disease was made. However, incisi onal biopsy established the diagnosis of amelanotic superficial spread ing malignant melanoma. Biopsy thus avoided the use of inappropriate d estructive therapy, such as cryotherapy or cautery. This case illustra tes the importance of obtaining a histological diagnosis, prior to tre atment, in suspected cases of Bowen's disease.