'Seborrheic keratoses' that contain human papillomavirus are condylomata acuminata

Seborrheic keratoses situated in the anogenital region often resemble condylomata acuminata, clinically and histopathologically, yet they are benign neoplasms of unknown cause, in contrast to condylomata acuminata, which are hyperplasias induced by human papillomavirus (HPV). In the past few years, some authors claimed to have demonstrated HPV in some anogenital seborrheic keratoses, but they failed to set forth precise histopathologic criteria for diagnosis of seborrheic keratoses. Standards by which to diagnose condylomata acuminata histopathologically also are wanting in many textbooks of dermatology, general pathology, and dermatopathology. In fact, in some of those books, findings proffered for histopathologic diagnosis of condyloma acuminata are very similar to those for diagnosis of seborrheic keratoses. All of this, as well as our own observations about condylomata acuminata and seborrheic keratoses on genital skin, prompt us to a different conclusion about the matter, namely, lesions said to be seborrheic keratoses replete with HPV are really condylomata acuminata. This essay gives reasons for our conclusion.