Most patients with anal HPV disease will not develop anal carcinoma but some will. Certain findings may be indicative of this progression. A patient should notify his or her physician if any of the these findings develop.
Clinical findings associated with anal carcinoma in a patient with anal HPV disease:
(1) new onset of anal bleeding
(2) anal or deep pelvic pain
(3) rapid increase in size of an anal lesion
(4) chronic, nonhealing ulceration
(5) inguinal lymphadenopathy
Any of these findings are more significant if the patient has a history of high grade dysplasia (AIN II or III) in a previous biopsy or cytology from an anal lesion.
Differential diagnosis:
(1) hemorrhoids
(2) anal fissure or trauma
(3) anal syphilis, gonorrhea or other STD
To read more or access our algorithms and calculators, please log in or register.
