[Question #12018] HPV Confusion
10 months ago
|
Hello Dr. Handsfield and Dr. Hook,
I believe I came here several months back but I can’t find the account I used. Anyway, back in May I (26F) discovered 4 wart like lesions between my anus and vagina. Initial biopsy claimed verruca vulgaris, which is so rare on the genital area I didn’t believe it. I did cryotherapy and that was that. However the lesions returned (looked different though, not really warts but raised skin). I got another biopsy from another lab that stated “late stage verruca.” So I asked for type testing. In situ hybridization said sample was negative for 6/11/16/18/31/33 (I was also vaccinated in 2014 three doses before sexual activity). They said I could find the exact strain if I paid $180 for DNA PCR testing, which I did. Today my dermatologist told me there was no viral dna found in my sample and my lesions may not have been warts in the first place but perhaps verrucous keratosis. In any case, she said I was no longer infectious (if I ever was) and that there was nothing to disclose. My question to you both is, is it possible it was condyloma that then had viral DNA stripped from it due to cryotherapy, which resulted in a lack of viral DNA present in my sample? The second lesion grew right on top of where my previous lesions were. I had another couple of lesions (didn’t look like what I originally had) cryotherapied two weeks ago and another slight raised bump cryotherapied today. I’m surprised it keeps coming back if it is verrucous keratosis. In any case, even if it were warts, would I need to disclose now that there is no viral dna present? It’s strange because I thought as the warts regrow they would regrow as new warts, but my second biopsy said late phase verruca. Maybe it was leftover from the first set of lesions? It is my understanding that PCR DNA tests can detect very low levels of HPV which was not present. What are your thoughts?
![]() |
H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
10 months ago
|
I had no problem finding your previous threads, and these further details add nothing you haven't heard before. If you would like to read those replies again, they are in threads 11465, 11488, 11561, 11685 and 11732. Quickly scanning your detailed (obsessive?) description here, I see nothing that was not addressed in your other discussions -- if not directly answered, the answers should be obvious from those discussions.
All that's left is to once again advise you to keep working with your own doctor(s), including a dermatologist. Also please note the forum policy against repeated questions on the same topic. This being your sixth on these topics, it should be your last. Repeated anxiety driven questions are subject to being deleted without reply and without refund of the posting fee. ASHA does not wish to collect fees for questions with obvious answers; repeated replies often prolong anxiety rather than relieving it (there's so often a "yes but" or "could I be the exception" sort of thinking); and such questions have reduced education value for other users, one of the forum's goals. Thank you for your understanding.
I'm sorry the forum can't help you further. Best wishes to you.
---