Multifocal invasive carcinoma of the vulva in a 25-year-old woman with Bowenoid papulosis.

This case report documents malignant progression associated with wart virus infection of the vulva in a 25-year-old female. The initial condition of Bowenoid papulosis and carcinoma in situ of the vulva was diagnosed on colposcopic biopsies performed to investigate chronic pruritus and superficial dyspareunia. This condition failed to resolve with local ablative therapy and progressed over a period of 8 months to multifocal invasive carcinoma of the vulva requiring radical surgery. Deoxyribonucleic acid hybridization studies on the operative specimen revealed the presence of human papilloma virus type 16. The role of human papilloma virus in the aetiology of Bowenoid papulosis and neoplasia of the vulva is discussed.