Papillomavirus antigens in anorectal condyloma and carcinoma in homosexual men
A. A. Gal, P. R. Meyer and C. R. Taylor
Squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix and vulva has been associated with
infection by human papillomavirus. Recent epidemiologic studies have
observed more anal carcinoma among single than married men. To investigate
this association between human papillomavirus and squamous proliferative
lesions of the anus, we studied eight homosexual or bisexual men with
recent diagnoses of anorectal carcinoma and six older patients of unknown
sexual orientation with similar diagnoses 20 to 30 years ago. Using an
immunohistochemical stain for papillomavirus, we found evidence of its
presence in the carcinomas of five (63%) of the eight homosexual men and in
two (33%) of the six older patients. Only one homosexual patient had the
acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. In the possibly immunocompromised
patient, human papillomavirus antigen is present in anorectal dysplasia and
carcinoma.
