Transitional cell carcinoma in distal urethra after previous excision of HPV related condyloma: Is there a link between human papilloma virus (HPV) and transitional cell carcinoma (TCC)?

Abstract

Introduction:

We aim to present a peculiar case of a patient we treated, who underwent surgical excision of what at first were HPV-related condylomas of the urethral meatus. The second time he underwent surgical excision of what seemed a recurrence the histology showed a low grade noninvasive papillary urothelial carcinoma.

Case description:

A 56-year-old man who underwent surgical excision of multiple lesions of the gland and distal urethra in April 2023; the histological examination of the neoformations in distal urethra confirmed the presence of condyloma acuminatum. He experienced a recurrence of distal urethral lesion; therefore, he underwent to a new surgical excision in September 2023 and this time the histological examination showed a transitional cell carcinoma.

Conclusion:

There is still no clear evidence of the link between HPV infection and TCC, however attention must be placed in order to enhance awareness on HPV infection prevention and on TCC screening for patient with other HPV infection related diseases.