$Unique_ID{BRK03619} $Pretitle{} $Title{Condyloma} $Subject{Condyloma Venereal Wart Genital Wart Condyloma Acuminatum Condyloma Latum Condyloma Acuminatum, Giant Busche-Lowenstein Tumor Common Warts Bowen's Disease Herpes Simplex Squamous Cell Carcinoma} $Volume{} $Log{} Copyright (C) 1990 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. 754: Condyloma ** IMPORTANT ** It is possible that the main title of the article (Condyloma) is not the name you expected. Please check the SYNONYM listing to find the alternate names and disorder subdivisions covered by this article. Synonyms Venereal Wart Genital Wart Condyloma Acuminatum Disorder Subdivision: Condyloma Latum Condyloma Acuminatum, Giant (also known as Busche-Lowenstein Tumor) Information on the following diseases can be found in the Related Disorders section of this report: Common Warts Bowen's Disease Herpes Simplex Squamous Cell Carcinoma General Discussion ** REMINDER ** The information contained in the Rare Disease Database is provided for educational purposes only. It should not be used for diagnostic or treatment purposes. If you wish to obtain more information about this disorder, please contact your personal physician and/or the agencies listed in the "Resources" section of this report. Condyloma is a wart. It is caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV) and usually transmitted by direct sexual contact. These warts can be found on the genitals, mucous membranes of the mouth, near the anus, or in the rectum. Symptoms Condyloma is a common infectious venereal disease that is characterized by small, soft, moist, pink or red elevations on the skin or mucous membranes (warts). These warts are caused by direct contact with the papilloma virus (human papilloma virus (HPV), either type 1, 2, 6, or 11). They have an incubation period of 1 to 6 months. The warts are not painful but they can spread rapidly on the genitals, mucous membranes, around the anus, and in the rectum. Occasionally there may be a single wart, but most often they cluster together, taking on a cauliflower-like appearance. In females, condylomas can be found on the walls of the vagina or cervix, on the area between the vulva and anus (perineum), or in the rectum. Pregnancy or a chronic vaginal discharge can cause these warts to grow and spread more rapidly. Regular examinations by a gynecologist, that includes a Pap Test, are important for women who have had venereal warts. An increased number of cases of cervical cancer in women with Condyloma has shown a distinct connection between cancer and the HPV virus. Men who have been infected with the human papilloma virus may have Condyloma warts around the foreskin and/or shaft of the penis, around the anus or in the rectum. Occasionally, they may involve the urethra which is the tube that extends through the penis into the bladder allowing urination. Condyloma Latum is a type of venereal wart that is a sign of secondary Syphilis in women. It is a highly contagious disease and is characterized by broad, flat, irregular-shaped patches on the vulva or anus. Giant Condyloma Acuminatum, also known as Buschke-Lowenstein tumor, is a form of Condyloma that can affect women but is more common in uncircumcised males. Although these warts appear most often on the penis, they may occur on the mucous membranes of the mouth, rectum, vulva or the area between the vagina and rectum in women. They can spread rapidly, causing the foreskin on the head of the penis to draw together (phimosis). Circumcision, which is a surgical removal of the foreskin, would help in preventing this form of Condylomata in males. Causes Condyloma is a common infectious venereal disease that is caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV). It is transmitted by direct sexual contact. Affected Population Condyloma is an infectious disease that affects males and females equally. Sexual practices, multiple sexual partners, poor hygiene, and an early onset of sexual activity have all been implicated in an increased susceptibility to this virus. Pregnant women are more prone to this disease, and if not adequately treated can transmit the virus to the baby at the time of delivery. Incidence of rectal and anal warts are more commonly found among homosexual males. Related Disorders Symptoms of the following disorders can be similar to those of Condyloma. Comparisons may be useful for a differential diagnosis. Bowen's Disease is a precancerous, slow growing skin malignancy. It is characterized by irregularly shaped, pinkish or brownish raised areas of skin (papules). This skin disease can occur on any part of the body, in the mucous membranes or on the genitals. (For more information on this disorder, choose "Bowen" as your search term in the Rare Disease Database.) Common Warts or verruca are small hard raised growths on the surface of the skin. These growths are caused by a virus and can appear on any part of the body. Warts can vary from normal skin color to a dark brown-black and occur most often on the fingers, elbows, and knees. Less frequently they can occur on the face and around the edges of the nails. Herpes Simplex is a common recurrent infection by the herpes simplex virus. It is characterized by clusters of small blisters filled with clear fluid on slightly red bases. These blisters can appear on the skin, mucous membranes and the genital area. The virus is transmitted by direct contact with the lesions, sometimes during sexual contact. Squamous Cell Carcinomas are common skin cancers usually appearing on the sun exposed areas of the skin. However they may occur anywhere on the body, including the genitals. The lesions begin as a small red elevation or patch with a scaly or crusted surface. They may become nodular, sometimes with a warty surface. In some, the bulk of the lesion may lie below the level of the surrounding tissue. A biopsy is essential to diagnose this disorder. Therapies: Standard Since Condyloma is a sexually transmitted disease, both partners should be examined and treated. Treatment of Condyloma consists of topical medications such as podophyllin or trichloroacetic acids. This treatment may need to be repeated to assure complete removal of the warts. Genital warts may also be treated under local or general anesthesia by an exposure to extreme cold (cryosurgery), or by cauterizing the wart with heat from an electric current (electrocauterization) or laser therapy. Surgical removal may be necessary for the more extensive cases of this disease. Condylomas are difficult to treat, relapses are frequent, and several treatments are often necessary. Circumcision may help to prevent a recurrence of this disease in men. Condoms, used correctly, can give some protection and help to avoid re- infection from this and other sexually transmitted diseases. Those people who have been diagnosed with the papilloma virus (types 6, 11, 16, and 18), and their sexual partners, should be followed closely by their physicians. This is due to the fact that certain forms of cancer have occurred after a history of genital warts. Therapies: Investigational The orphan drugs Interferon Alpha-2B and Interferon-NL are being tested as treatments for the human papillomavirus in those patients with recurrent respiratory (Laryngeal) papillomatosis. For more information on the Orphan Drug Interferon-Alpha-2B, physicians can contact Schering Corp., 2000 Galloping Hill Road, Kenilworth, NJ 07033. (For more information on the Orphan Drug Interferon-NL, physician can contact Burroughs Wellcome, 3030 Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709. This disease entry is based upon medical information available through July 1990. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder. Resources For more information on Condyloma, please contact: National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) P.O. Box 8923 New Fairfield, CT 06812-1783 (203) 746-6518 American Social Health Association 100 Capitola Dr., Suite 200 Research Triangle Park, NC 27713 (919) 361-8400 National Sexully Transmitted Diseases Hotline (800) 227-8922 Council for Sex Education and Information 444 Lincoln Blvd., Suite 107 Venice, CA 90291 NIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) 9000 Rockville Pike Bethesda, MD 20892 (301) 496-5717 Centers for Disease Control (CDC) 1600 Clifton Road, NE Atlanta, GA 30333 (404) 639-3534 References THE MERCK MANUAL, Volume 2, 15th Ed.: Robert Berkow, M.D., ed.-in-chief; Merck Sharp & Dohme Laboratories., 1988. Pp. 250. TEXTBOOK OF MEDICINE, 18th Ed.: James B. Wyngaarden, M.D. et al.; ed.-in- chief; W.B. Saunders Co., 1988. Pp. 2324. CONDYLOMATA ACUMINATA (VENEREAL WARTS). J. Enterline, et al.; NURSE PRACT (April 1989, issue 14 (4)). Pp. 8-16. INTERFERONS IN THE TREATMENT OF GENITAL HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS INFECTIONS. P. Weck, et al.; AM J MED (August 29, 1988, issue 85(2)). Pp. 159-164. HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS TYPING OF PENILE CONDYLOMA. W. O'Brien, et al.; J UROL (April 1989, issue 141(4)). Pp. 863-865. CERVICAL DYSPLASIA AND HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS. J. Carmichael, et al.; AM J OBSTET GYNECOL (April 1989, issue 160(4)). Pp. 916-918. PATIENT APPLIED PODOFILOX FOR TREATMENT OF GENITAL WARTS. K. Beutner, et al.; LANCET (April 1989, issue 1(8642)). Pp. 831-834. HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS INFECTION: A POTENTIALLY CARCINOGENIC SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASE (CONDYLOMATA, GENITAL WARTS). V. Lucas; NURS CLIN NORTH AM (December 1988, issue 23 (4)). Pp. 917-935.