Condylomata acuminata and squamous cell carcinoma

Until recently, condyloma acuminatum has been considered to be a benign growth with no malignant potential. The histologically similar, yet clinically different, giant condyloma accuminatum (Buschke-Lowenstein tumor) has been defined as a mass with downward growth that has no histologic malignant changes, although the clinical course may be malignant. A review of the literature yielded 65 cases of malignant degeneration of this type of tumor and supports the concept that either condyloma acuminatum or the Buschke-Lowenstein tumor may precede or be associated with squamous cell carcinoma. A patient presenting with condyloma acuminatum in whom invasive squamous carcinoma of the penis developed exemplifies the transitory character of the disease.