finally an answer, I hope

Dear Dr.
This is by far the best forum i have come across yet.I hope you can finally answer some questions I have. About 2 1/2 years ago I noticed a flesh colored lump on my penis. My wife told me it was just a skin tag. Several months later 2 smaller ones appeared so I went to see my family doctor. She said they were warts and prescribed aldara. I used aldara like you were supposed to and one of them sort of dissapperd. I went back and she sent me to a urologist. He told me he thinks they are warts and used the vinegar test and they turned white so he froze them off. I have been going back ever since and we do the same thing, test, then freeze off whatever turns white. I am starting to wonder if I really have warts? Last time he froze off 8 spots. My wife has never shown any symptoms.We have been married for 7 years. What appears now on my penis are more like discolorations. Sometimes they are little red dots or appear white in color. They are no bigger than the tip of a pencil.You actually have to strech the skin to see them clearly. Once in awhile one might be slighlty raised but again you have to strech the skin to feel it. Sometimes the urologist needs a magnifying glass to see the white spots from the vinegar test.  Am I going thru the pain of freezing for nothing? Should I get a second opinion? I am hoping you can shed some light on my problem.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Please get a second opinion.  White from vinegar is an unreliable sign, since many things that turn white are not warts.  Warts can be seen easily without stretching the skin.  I can't be certain what the bumps were to begin with, but what you have now almost certainly are not warts.  If your new opinion confirms this, you should stop having them treated.  Unless something new grows, in which case it should be examined, there is nothing special for you to do at that point.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff