Erythroplasia of Queyrat treated with topical 5-fluorouracil

Urologic dermatology: a comprehensive foray into the noninfectious etiologies of balanitis

Balanitis is classically defined as inflammation of the glans penis, often also encompassing the prepuce (balanoposthitis). Several investigations have found that a sizable proportion of urology clinic visits are due to balanitis or related complaints. Balanitis can have numerous complications, including severe pain, urethral stenosis, phimosis, sexual dysfunction, and if untreated, malignancy. Unfortunately, there is no recent or comprehensive review that describes the various etiologies, clinical workup, and treatments for balanitis. Herein this review, we attempt to provide the reader with a complete and updated guide to balanitis in an attempt to improve clinical outcomes.

[Premalignant lesions of the penis]

The dermatological conditions that affect the penis are diverse, and may be typical of this area or be part of systemic diseases. The anamnesis and inspection are often sufficient for diagnosis, but other times, it is difficult to distinguish between benign dermatoses and premalignant lesions. The delay in consulting, due to fear, shame or the doctor's own ignorance, can cause the lesions to progress to malignancy and require aggressive treatments that can alter the quality of life and physical and mental health of the patient. We must suspect premalignancy or malignancy any lesion of the penis that is not modified with specific or empirical treatment and refer for biopsy. HPV infections are the origin of 50% of premalignant lesions. After treatment and due to possible relapses and progression to infiltrating carcinomas, a strict follow-up plan is necessary.

Efficacy of topical photodynamic therapy in the treatment of Erythroplasia of Queyrat

Erythroplasia of Queyrat (EQ) is an intraepidermal carcinoma in situ presenting clinically as a sharply demarcated, slightly raised erythematosus plaque on the glans penis or the inner side of the foreskin. Various treatment modalities for EQ have been proposed, including electrocautery and curettage, topical 5-floururacil cream, imiquimod cream, isotretinoin, cryotherapy, laser therapy, radiotherapy, ingenol mebutate gel and Photodynamic Therapy (PDT). Most of these treatments are limited by low clearance rates and frequent relapses. Surgical treatment including local excision, Mohs micrographic surgery and partial or total penectomy, ensures adequate healing rates. However, discomfort consequent to surgical treatment might be unacceptable. Topical PDT using the methyl ester of 5- aminolaevulinic acid (MAL) is an established non-surgical treatment of cutaneous precancerous lesions and skin cancers. We present the case of a 60-year-old uncircumcised man affected by EQ of the penis successfully treated with MAL-PDT, performed five times, two weeks apart, with no recurrences after 6 years.

Structure, Genome, Infection Cycle and Clinical Manifestations Associated with Human Papillomavirus

A small, non-enveloped, obligatory parasite, Human papillomavirus (HPV) is known to be the cause of a range of malignancies. These entail benign infections like genital warts as well as malignant, life-threatening conditions such as cervical cancer. Since a very high mortality rate is associated with HPV caused cancers (cervical cancer is a 2nd leading cause of death caused due to cancer among women globally), there is an escalating need to understand and search for ways to combat such medical conditions. Under the same light, the given article provides an insight into the world of this versatile pathogen. Distinct aspects related to HPV have been discussed here. Emphasis has been laid upon the composition, function and assembly of capsid proteins (structural studies) and various genetic elements and their gene products (genomic studies). The essence of the mechanism behind the development of persistent infection and modes responsible for the transmission of the infectious particles has been briefly covered. Finally, the review outlines various infections and diseases caused by HPV with a major focus on their clinical and histological manifestations.