Buschke and Loewenstein tumors (giant condyloma acuminata). Immunologic features

The Buschke-Loewenstein tumor, also called giant condyloma acuminatum, is generally observed in male subjects, usually on the penis and rarely occurs in women. A case of Buschke-Loewenstein tumor located on the vulva is reported. It is a cauliflower-like tumor which behaves clinically in a malignant fashion, although it shows no histomorphological criteria of malignancy. Histologically it is a benign papillomatous growth characterized predominantly by epithelial hyperplasia, hyperacanthosis and hyperkeratosis. The assessment of humoral and cellular immunity demonstrated an unusual circulating increase of CD4+ lymphocytes suggesting their major role in the very slow progression of the disease. Surgery remains the treatment of choice for this tumor.