Erythroplasia of Queyrat Treated with 5% Imiquimod Cream — Case Report Emphasizing the Role of Human Papilloma Virus Testing in a Clinical Setting

Abstract

AbstractBackground:Anogenital premalignancies and malignancies often affect females and males, and human papillomavirus infection plays a crucial role in their etiopathogenesis. These lesions are very important and represent an immense public health burden.Case presentation:A 78-year-old Caucasian male presented to the Dermatology Unit for persistent, slowly progressing, well-demarcated, erythematous plaques on the glans penis, observed by the patient 18 months prior to the consultation. Variable topical treatments were applied, with no improvement and with the denial of a punch biopsy. A clinical diagnosis of erythroplasia of Queyrat was established and the test for HPV revealed an association with subtype 16 (which excluded other benign inflammatory conditions). Positive results were obtained after 4 weeks of topical application of 5% imiquimod cream, once daily, 5 times a week.Conclusion:Erythroplasia of Queyrat should be diagnosed in a non-compliant patient based on the clinical picture and HPV testing even in the absence of a biopsy, and a non-surgical treatment should be initiated immediately.