Robert E. Nordquist

DYSKERATOSIS IN BOWEN'S DISEASE*

SUMMARY.— Dyskeratosis is a feature of certain benign and malignant epithelial disorders. In Bowens disease, dyskeratosis is characterized by central displacement, aggregation and condensation of tonofilaments within individual cells at all levels of the epidermis. This premature keratinization is primary and is similar to the benign dyskeratosis observed in keratosis follicularis. Centrally displaced dyskeratotic material was observed intermingled with the mitotic apparatus. Giant cells apparently resulted, since nuclear but not cytoplasmic division was seen. Dyskeratosis may also be secondary, through phagocytosis by one cell of partly or completely keratinized material from other cells. This may result in formation of a second distinct type of giant cell.