Perianal condylomata acuminata

Abstract

Anal and perianal condylomata acuminata are warts caused by infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV). The annual incidence of genital warts seems to have increased during the past few decades. Approximately 1.5 million consultations per year take place in the United States with this condition (1). Papillomavirus is a sexually transmitted disease, and is associated with several other venereal infections as well as with intraepithelial neoplasia and invasive squamous carcinoma. Only certain genotypes of HPV are carcinogenic, and can be precisely identified by in situ hybridisation techniques. There are many therapeutic alternatives, possibly reflecting the wide variability in treatment response.