Giant Condylomata Acuminata of Buschke and Lowenstein Follow-up

  • Author: Catharine Lisa Kauffman, MD, FACP; Chief Editor: Dirk M Elston, MD   more...
 
Updated: Jan 26, 2012
 

Deterrence/Prevention

Early circumcision has been found to be extremely effective in preventing penile carcinoma. Given the association with HPV, condom use would probably be effective in decreasing the incidence of GCBL. The HPV vaccine (Gardasil) is indicated for the prevention of condyloma acuminata due to HPV types 6 and 11 in boys, men, girls, and women aged 9-26 years. The vaccine is administered as 3 separate doses adminstered at 0, 2, and 6 months.

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Complications

Most complications of GCBL are the result of the growth of the tumor or of the treatment. As the lesion progresses, fistulization, foul odor, and secondary infections are common. Extensive lesions, particularly leading to complex fistulous tracts and discharge, may require a temporary colostomy. Less radical approaches may lead to local recurrence. Therefore, abdominoperineal resection has been recommended for patients with rectal sphincter involvement.

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Prognosis

Inadequately treated GCBL has a relentless progression and is fatal by direct spread to pelvic organs. By definition, adequately treated GCBL has a low recurrence rate and, therefore, an excellent prognosis. However, one study of perianal/anogenital GCBL, with treatments ranging variously from podophyllin to pelvic exenteration, showed a 68% recurrence rate with a 21% mortality rate.

In another series of 42 patients, the median number of recurrences of giant condyloma acuminatum was 2 years (range, 1-7 y), and the median time to first recurrence was 10 months. A high rate of recurrence correlates with a long duration of disease.

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Patient Education

For excellent patient education resources, visit eMedicine's Men’s Health Center and Cancer and Tumors Center. Also, see eMedicine's patient education article Cancer: What You Need to Know.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Catharine Lisa Kauffman, MD, FACP  Georgetown Dermatology and Georgetown Dermpath

Catharine Lisa Kauffman, MD, FACP is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, Royal Society of Medicine, Society for Investigative Dermatology, and Women's Dermatologic Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Doru Traian Alexandrescu, MD  Assistant Professor of Medicine, Georgetown University

Doru Traian Alexandrescu, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for Cancer Research, American Cancer Society, American College of Physicians, American Medical Association, American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation, American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Society of Hematology, and Medical Society of the State of New York

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Mark W Cobb, MD  Consulting Staff, WNC Dermatological Associates

Mark W Cobb, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, and American Society of Dermatopathology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

David F Butler, MD  Professor of Dermatology, Texas A&M University College of Medicine; Chair, Department of Dermatology, Director, Dermatology Residency Training Program, Scott and White Clinic, Northside Clinic

David F Butler, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, American Society for MOHS Surgery, Association of Military Dermatologists, and Phi Beta Kappa

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Edward F Chan, MD  Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine

Edward F Chan, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Society of Dermatopathology, and Society for Investigative Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Catherine M Quirk, MD  Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania

Catherine M Quirk, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha and American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD  Director, Ackerman Academy of Dermatopathology, New York

Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Additional Contributors

The authors and editors of eMedicine gratefully acknowledge the contributions of previous authors, Christopher Norwood, MD, and Mary K. Mather, MD, to the development and writing of this article.

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Giant condylomata acuminata of Buschke and Löwenstein of the perianal region, consisting of a slow-growing, ulcerated, cauliflowerlike mass.
 
 
 
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