Human papillomavirus type 16 in a homosexual man. Association with perianal carcinoma in situ and condyloma acuminatum.

BACKGROUND

The association of anal carcinoma with human papillomavirus (HPV) type 16 infection is well documented. Anal carcinoma is also frequently associated with a history of anogenital condylomata. More than 90% of anogenital condylomata contain HPV type 6 or 11. It is rare for a condylomatous lesion to contain HPV 16. We report the unusual case of a homosexual man, testing positively for human immunodeficiency virus, with carcinoma in situ evolving within perianal condylomata infected with HPV 16.

OBSERVATIONS

Microscopic examination of tissue specimens from ulcerated verrucous lesions on the perianal mucosa revealed changes of classic condylomata acuminata with contiguous focal squamous cell carcinoma in situ. Testing for HPV DNA by in situ hybridization identified HPV 16 in both the condylomatous and carcinoma in situ areas.

CONCLUSIONS

The association of HPV 16-infected condylomata and adjacent carcinoma in situ implies that cutaneous genital condylomata may progress to high-grade lesions. Given that homosexual men are at high risk for perianal carcinomas, HPV typing of perianal condylomata specimens may help identify immunocompromised patients who are at risk for the development of carcinomas.