Giant condyloma acuminatum of Buschke-Lowenstein tumour: Disease development between 2000 and 2010

Aim: Giant condyloma acuminatum, originally described by Buschke and Lowenstein in 1925 as a lesion of the penis, is more rarely seen in the anorectum, and is characterized by clinical malignancy in the face of histological benignity; however, malignant transformation in approximately one-third of patients to invasive squamous cell carcinoma has been described. Malignant transformation has been reported in patients with 'ordinary' condylomata acuminata as well. Human papillomavirus, known to cause condylomata acuminata, is also known to induce these tumours, and was found in 96 per cent of the 63 cases reviewed in the past 10 years. Radical R0 excision, independent of used surgical methods, as well as vigilant follow up, provides hope for cure. Conservative and/or multimodal therapy has been demonstrated in a few cases; however, its effect is not yet clear. Patients and Methods: In the present study, we reviewed literature published between 2000 and 2010 and compared these with previous reviews. Results: We found an increase in published cases per year of giant condyloma acuminatum. Sex ratios (3:1, male:female), mean age (42 years) and symptoms were found to be equal in this and previous reviews. Conclusions: Our research found that there were more viral studies on specimens in order to understand the disease, and a less transformation rate to malignancy was found. Surgery is still the preferred practice for treating patients.