A perianal conundrum and its management: Condyloma versus carcinoma

Giant condyloma acuminatum is an uncommon sexually transmitted disease. It also goes by the name Buschke-Löwenstein tumor and develops in immunocompromised patients in the anogenital area [1]. It is caused by human papillomavirus infection, subtypes 6 and 11 [2]. It grows rapidly with the destruction of local tissues, and often recurs [3]. Giant condyloma acuminatum can mimic squamous cell carcinoma. The work has been reported in line with SCARE criteria [4].

A 44-year-old gentleman had presented with an insidious growing painless mass in the perianal region with anal canal invasion of 2 years duration. Over the last 3 months, it was associated with a rapid increase in size along with an ulcer and bleeding. He was a renal transplant recipient, on immunosuppressive therapy. The dermatologist had referred him to the surgeon with a concern of malignancy. He underwent examination under anesthesia and an incisional biopsy. The pathologist reported it as condyloma acuminata. The dermatologist had tried a few sessions of cryotherapy without success and the fear of malignancy was still lurking. He underwent wide local excision of the tumor and reconstruction of the anocutaneous junction with an advancement flap. The pathologist had reported the lesion as a large verrucous lesion consistent with condyloma acuminata. Short-term follow-up showed good continence of the anal canal and no recurrence.

Giant condyloma acuminatum can mimic squamous cell carcinoma. So when in doubt and conservative treatment fails, surgical excision is a good option both for treatment and pathological confirmation.