Doctor expresses concern over lack of HPV screening after man with 'genital warts' dies

A forty-four year old man died at University Hospital Waterford after presenting with a two-year worsening perianal
condylomata (genital warts) which doctors said was concerning for its malignant transformation.

He was a smoker with a 30-pack year history and he also had a history of significant alcohol consumption - around 56 pints or 140 units on average a week.

According to a newly-published report regarding the man's case, he had lost 25kg in weight in the preceding two years and there was no family history of malignancy.

The report, published in the Irish Medical Journal, outlines that the patient had previously undergone a defunctioning loop ileostomy before he 'absconded' from care for a six-month period.

However, when he returned to the hospital months later, his condition had deteriorated.

His previous records confirmed invasive squamous cell carcinoma, lesions which had developed over time on his untreated genital warts. 

READ ALSO: Gardaí renew appeal for Meath 16-year-old missing for over a week

In his report, Dr Siti Mardhiah Muhamad Fauzi said that there was no surgical treatment option as the extent of disease was deemed 'unresectable'.

By this time he was unable to receive anti-cancer treatment but had specialised palliative care until he died almost two months later.

Dr Siti Mardhiah Muhamad Fauzi outlined the issue of a lack of screening for HPV in men and said, "this case emphasises the importance of advocating for patients to engage with healthcare services."

The report also said that this case demonstrates a particular issue in Ireland in that there is still a lack of screening programmes in the country for HPV.

The repercussions for this lack of available screening, particularly for patients with compounded multiple high risk factors including lack of engagement with medical professionals, can lead to serious consequences in HPV infection such as death in this case.