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 for which an underlying chronic human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is an important cause of recurrence. 5-aminolaevulinic acid-mediated photodynamic therapy (ALA-PDT) has become an effective method to treat condyloma acuminata. Urinary tract condyloma acuminata are not considered common, but warts in the bladder can be detected by cystoscopy.

OBJECTIVE

To treat a urinary tract HPV infection in a 35 years old woman diagnosed with condyloma acuminata 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 had a cystoscope examination. The wart in the bladder was found by cystoscopy and cauterized with radiofrequency.

RESULT: Internal urethra, urethral orifice, cervical, vaginal, and vulvar HPV-DNA detection eventually all returned negative results, and there was no recurrence with two years of follow-up.