Papulosis bowenoide: a propósito de un caso

Summary Bowenoid papulosis of the vulva is an old term. Nowadays it must be included in grade III intraepithelial vulvar neoplasia (VIN III), since in the vulva it is considered to be an in situ cancer. Its incidence has increased in the last 25 years, especially in young women. The causes are not exactly known, however it is known that HPV infection, especially type 16 is an important triggering factor. Diagnosis is made by clinical suspicion. It manifests with the presence of hyperpigmented papulose lesions that can be asymptomatic or produce pruritis or vulvodinia. Confirmation of the diagnosis will always be made using biopsy and hystological study of the lesions. It may progress to invasive cancer, especially when the lesions are extensive, in young and immunosupre-sed women, and in smokers. These lesions can coexist with an occult invasive cancer; this is more frequent when the lesions are extensive, and also in elderly women. Treatment is with wide excision taking skin margins, or with simple vulvectomy if the lesions are not extensive, if the lesions are extensive radical vulvectomy and skin grafting are necessary.