Verrucous carcinoma arising in pseudoepitheliomatous keratotic and micaceous balanitis, without evidence of human papillomavirus

Pseudoepitheliomatous keratotic and micaceous balanitis (PKMB) is a conditi on which occurs on the glans penis of older men and may be associated with the development of a verrucous carcinoma. A role for human papillomavirus ( HPV) in the aetiology of verrucous carcinoma has been implicated and severa l different HPV types have been found. We report a 74-year-old man who deve loped a verrucous carcinoma within an area of PKMB on the glans penis. Usin g a broad-spectrum polymerase chain reaction technique for identifying HPV, the epidermis of the area of PKMB and of the verrucous carcinoma were exam ined and no HPV DNA was identifiable. These results suggest that there is n o part for HPV in the pathogenesis of PKMB or its transformation to verruco us carcinoma.