Aa
condyloma
I have a question about where to proceed. Tuesday morning I noticed a very small (actually three, not grouped together) flat 1-2 mm diameter lesions on the shaft of my penis. I had noticed one about four months ago and thought that it was just some sort of normal tissue variation. That afternoon the dermatologist said he did not know what they were and biopsied one. This afternoon, Friday, he called me and stated that the slides had been sent to Mayo's for a definative diagnosis but it was compatible with that of Condyloma or Pappilitis.
My sexual history is that for the last seventeen years I have had a monogamous relationship with a woman. We are not married. The only times that I was outside that relationship occurred when I went to topless or nude bars on several occassions. During those times I had "lap dances". Two or three times my penis was fondled by the dancers hand. At no time did I ever have sex with her, in fact my underwear shorts were always in place even though I was unzipped. Basically, I called myself fooling around in a safe manner and had no idea that HPV could be transmitted that way. I thought that HIV was transmitted by the exchange of bodily fluids and HPV was by genital contact during some form of sex usually, or if genitalia was in contact with the genital skin of the other member.
I asked the Dermatologist for advice and he said that basically he reccommended crycosurgery and the use of condoms. My first concern was to the lady that I have put in danger, and he said that she had a "very high" risk of developing cancer but she would have to talk to her ob-gyn about that. Incidentally, she had a normal Paps (sp?) smear within the month.
I have alot of questions in this and know that you cannot answer them all but any advice you can give will be appreciated.
The embarrasment that I have at this point is extreme.
I actually feel that my life that has preceeded this point has ended and from now on both of our lives will be damaged and our relationship not only altered but destroyed. Any direction you can give me will be appreciated. You can probably tell that I am old enough to take this pretty seriously. Haven't made too many mistakes in my life and this one hurts. Thanks
My sexual history is that for the last seventeen years I have had a monogamous relationship with a woman. We are not married. The only times that I was outside that relationship occurred when I went to topless or nude bars on several occassions. During those times I had "lap dances". Two or three times my penis was fondled by the dancers hand. At no time did I ever have sex with her, in fact my underwear shorts were always in place even though I was unzipped. Basically, I called myself fooling around in a safe manner and had no idea that HPV could be transmitted that way. I thought that HIV was transmitted by the exchange of bodily fluids and HPV was by genital contact during some form of sex usually, or if genitalia was in contact with the genital skin of the other member.
I asked the Dermatologist for advice and he said that basically he reccommended crycosurgery and the use of condoms. My first concern was to the lady that I have put in danger, and he said that she had a "very high" risk of developing cancer but she would have to talk to her ob-gyn about that. Incidentally, she had a normal Paps (sp?) smear within the month.
I have alot of questions in this and know that you cannot answer them all but any advice you can give will be appreciated.
The embarrasment that I have at this point is extreme.
I actually feel that my life that has preceeded this point has ended and from now on both of our lives will be damaged and our relationship not only altered but destroyed. Any direction you can give me will be appreciated. You can probably tell that I am old enough to take this pretty seriously. Haven't made too many mistakes in my life and this one hurts. Thanks
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
"Hyperkeratosis and acanthosis" (thickening of the skin) are nonspecific findings present in warts but also in non-warty growths. If your doctor and the Mayo people feel you don't have warts, then I would take their opinion at face value. As to what you had years ago, I just can't say.
Dr. Rockoff
Dr. Rockoff
I used a term above that I think is incorrect. I don't think that you can culture the HPV virus, but they did whatever testing that they do at Mayo's and it was negative for HPV. Sorry to mislead, but thanks.
Doctor, I hope that you see this post and respond . I am the original person that posted.
A week after I had received the diagnosis(condyloma) over the phone I called the dermatologists office and asked if there had been a response from Mayo's clinic concerning whatever specimen which had been sent there. I spoke to the dermatologist and he read me a "new" biopsy report signed by the local pathologist. I may be a little wrong on this but it stated that the lesion presented both hyperkeratosis and acanthosis-that it was of undetermined significance. A microscopic diagnosis of papilloma. The dermatologist laughed at this and said come to his office next week and we would decide what to do about the other two very small lesions. He stated that it was not a veneral wart and was a completely different diagnosis. I was very relieved until I called this Friday to schedule the appointment with him.
After the receptionist told me that the dermatologist wanted me to get a second opinion, and insisting to speak with him, he told me the following: He said he wanted someone else's opinion (I don't know yet about what) at which time I asked him if the diagnosis histologically of a wart was not rather straight-forward, he replied yes it was and that it had not been diagnosed this second time as a wart, but as a papilloma.He also said that Mayo had cultured the lesion and that it was negative for viral growth. He said "Oh no' I don't think you have anything serious, and no, not a wart"
Historically, I thought of something else. About six years ago I had another very small, similar appearing to me, lesion removed about half a centimeter from these sites but on the edge of the foreskin. It's diagnosis as I recall was "just a papilloma" from the same dermatologist.
Because the concern and worry has been rekindled by this somewhat mysterious approach I would just like to ask you if you have any insight as to what it might mean. I was very happy to settle for the second report. I feel that it must have been made after some review and really don't want to begin another cycle of biopsies etc. if not required. And I don't want it to be labled as a genital wart for convenience. It carries too many negative conotations and consequences if not accurate. Are there non-specific hyperkeratotic lesions that I could just forget about?
Thank you for your previous sensitive response and your thoughts now.
A week after I had received the diagnosis(condyloma) over the phone I called the dermatologists office and asked if there had been a response from Mayo's clinic concerning whatever specimen which had been sent there. I spoke to the dermatologist and he read me a "new" biopsy report signed by the local pathologist. I may be a little wrong on this but it stated that the lesion presented both hyperkeratosis and acanthosis-that it was of undetermined significance. A microscopic diagnosis of papilloma. The dermatologist laughed at this and said come to his office next week and we would decide what to do about the other two very small lesions. He stated that it was not a veneral wart and was a completely different diagnosis. I was very relieved until I called this Friday to schedule the appointment with him.
After the receptionist told me that the dermatologist wanted me to get a second opinion, and insisting to speak with him, he told me the following: He said he wanted someone else's opinion (I don't know yet about what) at which time I asked him if the diagnosis histologically of a wart was not rather straight-forward, he replied yes it was and that it had not been diagnosed this second time as a wart, but as a papilloma.He also said that Mayo had cultured the lesion and that it was negative for viral growth. He said "Oh no' I don't think you have anything serious, and no, not a wart"
Historically, I thought of something else. About six years ago I had another very small, similar appearing to me, lesion removed about half a centimeter from these sites but on the edge of the foreskin. It's diagnosis as I recall was "just a papilloma" from the same dermatologist.
Because the concern and worry has been rekindled by this somewhat mysterious approach I would just like to ask you if you have any insight as to what it might mean. I was very happy to settle for the second report. I feel that it must have been made after some review and really don't want to begin another cycle of biopsies etc. if not required. And I don't want it to be labled as a genital wart for convenience. It carries too many negative conotations and consequences if not accurate. Are there non-specific hyperkeratotic lesions that I could just forget about?
Thank you for your previous sensitive response and your thoughts now.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I understand your concerns. I will do my best to convince you that you do not need to think that your former life is ended. There is no reason for it to end.
1. The biopsy was "compatible with" condyloma, but it was also compatible with "Pappilitis." Condyloma are warts, but there is no such word as pappilllitis. You need to find out for sure that the biopsy is not also compatible with diagnoses other than warts.
2. Even if they are warts, it is not justified to say that your partner has a "very high" risk of developing cancer. There are 2 strains of the virus that are associated with cancer, and lots more strains that aren't. She ought to discuss this with her Ob-Gyn.
3. Warts are extremely common. If they could be spread easily from hand to penis, wouldn't all the millions of people with common hand warts also have them in the groin (and everywhere else) just from washing? They don't.
4. Even if they are warts, they may have been contracted from a former partner--or even from your current partner, because the virus can be latent (invisible) for years.
5. Among the many tens of millions of people with genital HPV, most can go on living their lives and maintaining their relationships. If you want to salvage yours--as I assume you do--you need proper counseling--not alarming judgmentalism.
Please consult a skin doctor or STD specilaist who can give you and your partner the support you need and deserve.
Best.
Dr. Rockoff
1. The biopsy was "compatible with" condyloma, but it was also compatible with "Pappilitis." Condyloma are warts, but there is no such word as pappilllitis. You need to find out for sure that the biopsy is not also compatible with diagnoses other than warts.
2. Even if they are warts, it is not justified to say that your partner has a "very high" risk of developing cancer. There are 2 strains of the virus that are associated with cancer, and lots more strains that aren't. She ought to discuss this with her Ob-Gyn.
3. Warts are extremely common. If they could be spread easily from hand to penis, wouldn't all the millions of people with common hand warts also have them in the groin (and everywhere else) just from washing? They don't.
4. Even if they are warts, they may have been contracted from a former partner--or even from your current partner, because the virus can be latent (invisible) for years.
5. Among the many tens of millions of people with genital HPV, most can go on living their lives and maintaining their relationships. If you want to salvage yours--as I assume you do--you need proper counseling--not alarming judgmentalism.
Please consult a skin doctor or STD specilaist who can give you and your partner the support you need and deserve.
Best.
Dr. Rockoff
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