Granuloma inguinale of the cervix: a carcinoma look-alike

Granuloma inguinale of the cervix presents as a proliferative growth and may mimic carcinoma. Over a 3 year period 18 patients with cervical granuloma inguinale were detected. Nine (50%) had a clinical diagnosis of carcinoma of the cervix on admission, five of whom had extensive investigations to exclude a malignancy. In communities where these two conditions are commonly seen it is recommended that granuloma inguinale be considered in young women with granulomatous lesions of the cervix, so as to avoid extensive and financially costly investigations, and unnecessary psychological stress for patients.