Urethral condylomas. A therapeutic challenge

Abstract

Very diverse treatment recommendations exist in the literature on HPV lesions of the urethra. There are no treatment guidelines from the specialist societies. Both these factors have led to a very wide spectrum of heterogeneous treatment strategies in hospitals and medical practices of various specialties. Primary and secondary treatment of urethral condylomata by practitioners as well as a specialized HPV center was evaluated. One hundred and five patients with condylomata of the urethra were studied. Most had been previously treated, often several times, by a variety of specialists. We treated all regardless of prior treatment status with laser therapy. A high percentage of patients treated with different methods in medical practices but also at our high-technology center sometimes showed serious treatment complications and numerous recurrences. Most established methods of treatment for condylomata on the external genitalia are not necessarily applicable to the urethra. About 20% of urethral condylomata can only be reached by endoscopy. Co-existing urethral malformations as well as complications of therapy are reasons for early cooperation with the urologist or HPV center.