Association of human papillomavirus type 11 with carcinoma of the penis

Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are epithelium-tropic viruses associated with several cutaneous, epithelial, and mucosal lesions. The oncogenic potential varies considerably among the more than 70 different genotypes so far identified. HPV 6 and 11 are generally found in benign genital condilomata or laryngeal papillomas, but they have been sporadically associated with genital malignancies. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primed by degenerated consensus oligonucleotides (from a late region of the HPV genome) allows one to amplify a broad spectrum of HPV, whereas the amplification with specific primers is restricted to a limited number of HPVs. Therefore, the restriction fragment length polymorphism assay permits one to identify the HPV type present in the PCR product. We report a case of an invasive verrucous carcinoma of the penis associated with HPV 11, a type previously considered noncarcinogenic. (C) 1998, Elsevier Science inc. All rights reserved.