Verrucous carcinoma arising in hidradenitis suppurativa

There are many reported cases of squamous carcinoma complicating hidradenitis suppurativa, but only one previous mention of verrucous carcinoma in this setting. We describe a case of verrucous carcinoma arising in hidradenitis suppurativa of the anal margin in a non-immunosuppressed man. This is the second report of verrucous carcinoma arising in a lesion of hidradenitis suppurativa. Although hidradenitis suppurativa can involve multiple intertriginous sites, malignant degeneration occurs mostly in the anogenital region. This suggests a role for a regional factor which, when combined with chronic inflammation, predisposes to malignant degeneration. A likely candidate for this factor is human papillomavirus; our case showed histologic evidence for this, but the specimen did not show viral DNA by polymerase chain reaction in situ hybridization. The ability of anogenital hidradenitis suppurativa to form squamous and verrucous cancers reinforces the argument for early and complete resection.