Unrecognized Bowen’s disease in previously treated condylomata acuminata: indication of a common etiology?

Abstract

Bowen’s disease (BD) is an intraepidermal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) with the capacity to become invasive SCC giving rise to distant metastasis. In rare cases it can be associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, specifically with HPV types 16, 18, 31, 32, and 34. Here we report a case of an immunocompetent white male, age 37, with an erythematous, irregularly-shaped patch in his suprapubic region, appearing 1 year after treatment for condylomata acuminata with cryotherapy and podophyllin in the same area. At the time of clinically active disease, a urethral smear was positive for high-risk HPV types. The lesion was considered a scar by several physicians because it emerged in an area of previous postinflammatory hyperpigmentation. The aim of this report is to raise awareness of the emerging causative association between anogenital HPV infection and the development of BD, which was the possible etiological agent in the case of the patient presented here. Hereby we also advocate primary preventive measures in terms of safe sexual habits and HPV vaccination.