Dictionary of Cancer Terms
View in Spanish: Precancerous dermatitis
Precancerous dermatitis (pree-KAN-seh-rus DER-muh-TY-tis)
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 Bowen disease and precancerous dermatosis.
Source: National Cancer Institute Dictionary of Cancer Terms, available at www.cancer.gov/dictionary.