ALA-PDT combined with cystoscopy: a method to eliminate refractory HPV infection in a patient with condyloma acuminata.

BACKGROUND: Condyloma acuminata is a common sexually transmitted disease whose recurrence is caused by an underlying chronic human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. 5-Aminolaevulinic acid-mediated photodynamic therapy (ALA-PDT) has become an effective method to treat condyloma acuminata. Urinary tract condyloma acuminata are rare, but warts in the bladder could be detected by cystoscopy. OBJECTIVE: To find a potential urinary tract HPV infection in a 35-year-old woman diagnosed with condyloma acuminate and to eliminate HPV infection. METHOD: A total of six sessions of ALA-PDT to the cervix and seven sessions of ALA-PDT to the vagina were executed, and the patient subsequently underwent a cystoscope examination. The wart in the bladder was found by cystoscopy and cauterized with radiofrequency. RESULT: HPV-DNA detection in internal urethra, urethral orifice, cervical, vaginal, and vulvar eventually returned negative results, and there was no recurrence within 2 years of follow-up.