GIANT CONDYLOMA ACUMINATUM (BUSCHKE-LOWENSTEIN TUMOR) OF THE ANORECTAL AND PERIANAL REGIONS - ANALYSIS OF 42 CASES

PURPOSE: Giant condyloma acuminatum or Buschke-Loewenstein tumor of the anorectal and perianal regions is an uncommon entity that has not been extensively reviewed. We analyzed 42 known cases of giant condyloma acuminatum in the English literature and reviewed their behavior and management. METHODS: All reported cases of giant condyloma acuminatum in the English literature were selected. The relevant clinicopathologic features of this uncommon entity were examined and discussed. RESULTS: These tumors are generally large with the propensity to ulcerate and infiltrate into deeper tissues. The hallmark of the disease is the high rate of recurrence (66 percent) and malignant transformation (56 percent). No distant metastases have been reported. The overall mortality was 20 percent, all occurring in patients with recurrences. Fifty percent of the patients who were initially treated with radical surgery developed recurrences. The average duration of disease was longer in patients with recurrences than in patients without recurrences (3.6 years vs. 2.8 years). The median number of recurrences was two (range, one to seven) recurrences, and the median time before first recurrence was ten months. Recurrences were treated by radical surgery in 17 patients and chemoradiotherapy +/- local excision in 5 patients. Follow-up information for the remaining five patients was not available. The cure rate in the radical surgery group was 61 percent compared with 25 percent in the chemoradiotherapy +/- local excision group. CONCLUSIONS: Giant condyloma acuminatum of the anorectal and perianal regions is a highly aggressive tumor with the propensity for recurrences and malignant transformation, but without metastatic potential. A high rate of recurrence is seen in patients with long duration of the disease. Salvage of patients with recurrences can be achieved successfully with radical surgery.