Papillomavirus antigens in anorectal condyloma and carcinoma in homosexual men.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix and vulva has been associated with infection by human papillomavirus. Recent epidemiologic studies have observed more anal carcinoma among single than married men. To investigate this association between human papillomavirus and squamous proliferative lesions of the anus, we studied eight homosexual or bisexual men with recent diagnoses of anorectal carcinoma and six older patients of unknown sexual orientation with similar diagnoses 20 to 30 years ago. Using an immunohistochemical stain for papillomavirus, we found evidence of its presence in the carcinomas of five (63%) of the eight homosexual men and in two (33%) of the six older patients. Only one homosexual patient had the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. In the possibly immunocompromised patient, human papillomavirus antigen is present in anorectal dysplasia and carcinoma.