Immunohistochemical Expression Patterns of p16 and Ki-67 in Oral Condyloma Acuminatum: A Case Report

Condyloma acuminatum (CA) is a type of benign tumor that is associated with the human papillomavirus (HPV). Although histopathology remains the gold standard for diagnosing CA, immunohistochemical (IHC) biomarkers may be able to provide additional characterization of these lesions. In this case report, we present a 45-year-old female who presented with an exophytic papillomatous mass on the lateral aspect of her tongue. The treatment involved an uncomplicated surgical excision of the lesion. The histopathological diagnosis confirmed oral CA. An IHC study was then performed using p16 and Ki67 as IHC markers. The p16 IHC marker demonstrated diffuse positivity in < 5% of epithelial cells at the parabasal level, whereas the Ki67 marker was positive in 60% of parabasal cells. Therefore, it was determined that this corresponded to a squamous lesion exhibiting a profile consistent with low-risk behavior, with no evidence of dysplasia. Periodic follow-up showed adequate healing and no recurrence. Surgical excision is an effective therapeutic modality for oral CA. The p16 and Ki-67 markers are useful tools for distinguishing oral malignancies from nonmalignant oral lesions. Their use also supports the identification and exclusion of premalignant changes as a means of prognosticating oral malignant neoplasms. These markers currently appear to have a low-risk profile but may undergo further characterization, with eventual incorporation into quantitative PCR or in situ hybridization methods.