Perianal Buschke-Löwenstein tumour: progressive growth despite immune restoration in a man positive for human immunodeficiency virus

A Gigantic Anal Mass: Buschke-Löwenstein Tumor in a Patient with Controlled HIV Infection with Fatal Outcome

Buschke-Löwenstein tumor of anorectal and perianal area is a rare but highly aggressive tumor, frequently associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) types 6 and 11. It often grows over years in immunocompetent patients and can be highly destructive to local tissue. We present a case of a 61-year-old male with HIV infection who presented with worsening pain and swelling in the anorectal area for one-year duration. Exam revealed a 15 × 10 cm mass in the anorectal area with multiple sinuses and fistulas. MRI revealed extension of the mass through pelvic structures. Biopsy showed squamous epithelium with koilocytes and histochemistry positive for P16, suggestive of HPV infection. Biopsy was negative for malignant transformation. He was not a candidate for surgery or radiation due to extensive infiltration of deeper structures and multiple fistulas. He refused interferon therapy, and diverting colostomy was placed for palliation. He presented two months later with overwhelming sepsis and died despite maximal medical therapy.

Successful improvement of Buschke-Löwenstein tumour in an HIV-infected patient with antiretroviral therapy alone

Buschke-Löwenstein tumour (BLT), also defined as giant condyloma acuminatum, is a rare exophytic tumour affecting the anogenital and perianal regions associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) infections, with a potential of malignant transformation and which is at a greater risk in T-cell mediated immunodeficient patients. Different therapeutic options, alone or in combination, have been reported for the treatment of BLT including local therapy but wide surgical local excision is however recommended as the most important therapeutic intervention. We report a case of a HIV-infected man who developed a voluminous pelvic BLT which disappeared progressively under antiretroviral therapy with no additional treatment, contemporary to an improvement of his immunity, highlighting the possible spontaneous reversibility of HPV-induced tumours in treated HIV infection.

Management of peri-anal giant condyloma acuminatum--a case report and literature review

Giant condyloma acuminatum (GCA), originally described by Buschke and Loewenstein 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 histologic benignity; however, malignant transformation to frankly invasive squamous-cell carcinoma has been described in about one-third of patients. In addition, malignant transformation has been reported in patients with "ordinary" condylomata acuminata. Human papillomavirus, known to cause condylomata acuminata, is also known to induce these tumors and was found in 96% of 63 cases reviewed in the last 10 years. These lesions have a propensity for recurrence and a likelihood of malignant transformation, and lead to significant mortality. Therefore, early and radical R0 excision, along with vigilant follow-up, provides the hope for cure. Conservative and/or multimodal therapy has been reported in a few cases, but its effect is not yet proved. The authors report one case of GCA; in addition, they reviewed the literature over the last 10 years and compared with previous reviews.