Diagnosis and Management of Pearly Penile Papules

Pearly penile papules (PPP) are common, benign lesions that appear on the corona of the glans penis during adolescence or early adulthood. Despite their benign nature, PPP are known to cause significant distress because of their resemblance to sexually transmitted infections such as condyloma acuminata. PPP can be clinically distinguished based on their uniform, dome-shaped papules that orient in one to two rows around the glans penis. There is no association between PPP and sexually transmitted infections, and treatment is generally reserved for patients with excessive concern. Physicians should be aware of this distinction in order to adequately reassure anxious patients. For patients who still desire treatment after counseling, cryotherapy and laser therapy represent two reliable treatment options with low rates of recurrence.