Immunosuppression as a high-risk factor in the development of condyloma acuminatum and squamous neoplasia of the cervix

Abstract

The iatrogenic immunosuppression in renal transplant recipients has been associated with an increased incidence of malignancy in these patients. Among 132 female transplant recipients at risk for the development of squamous lesions of the cervix, 11 (8.5%) developed cervical condylomas. Six (4.5%) of the 11 patients developed cervical neoplasia. The average age of the patients at the time of initial diagnosis was 32.2 years. The lag time from transplantation to the diagnosis of the condyloma was 22.4 months, and the lag time from transplantation to the diagnosis of cervical neoplasia was 38.0 months. The increased incidence of condylomas as well as of intraepithelial neoplasia of the cervix in this group of patients with an established higher risk of malignancy supports the hypothesis that condylomas may represent a precursor lesion of cervical cancer. Immunosuppression should be included among the high-risk factors in the development of cervical neoplasia.