15 year old wart

Dear Dr. H.,
I recently read a post entitled

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

I'm not aware of any difference across the Atlantic in knowledge about HPV persistence or recurrences or the natural course of warts.  I agree 100% with the statement of your new doc, and I have never said anything different on this forum. The 6-12 month clearance time is the norm, as best we know from the available data; but there are exceptions and I have always said so.

It is very unlikely that a persistent, unchanging lesion for 15 years is a wart.  It might have started that way, but by this time I'll bet the wart tissue has been replaced by scar tissue or has evolved into a skin tag.  The fact that no partners have developed warts in your sexual relationships supports this view.  If in doubt, e.g. if your new doctor believes the lesion is a wart, I suggest you get a second opinion from a dermatologist or a GU medicine clinic.

Good luck--  HHH, MD

[knicksfan]

Sorry Dr. H, I probably should have been more clear.  I have not had an active lesion for literally 15 years.  After the initial wart was removed, it did not come back and Ive had no recurrances.  I explained my past hpv infection to my current doc.  She checked me out to be on the safe side but said that because Ive been 'wart free' for all this time, the chance of a recurrance at this point is 'statistically insignificant'.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

I agree with your doc.