Sexually Transmitted Diseases - I. I. Mavrov 2005

Non-Venereal Inflammatory Diseases of the Genital Organs
Queyrat's Erythroplasia

Queyrat's erythroplasia, or papillary bare epithelioma, is an intraepithelial carcinoma of the mucous membranes. It typically occurs after the age of 50, predominantly on the genitalia: in men, on the glans Penis; in women, in the vulvar region. It is relatively rare on the mucous membranes of the Larynx, Oral Cavity, and Esophagus. The Etiology remains unknown.

Clinical Features. With minimal subjective symptoms, a pinkish-red plaque with a velvety, slightly scaly surface develops on the glans penis; sometimes superficial ulceration with slight serous discharge is observed. Palpation reveals a superficial elastic tissue infiltration (see insert sheet XVI, 4).

Histological examination reveals thinning and compaction of the superficial layers of stratified squamous epithelium with acantholytic strands that penetrate deeply into the underlying tissue, represented mainly by prickle Cells with a small number of mitotic figures, occasionally atypical. The cells are pleomorphic, showing marked discomplexation without dyskeratosis.

Located near the urethral meatus or On the surface of the glans, the lesion transforms into a squamous Cell epithelioma within several months, accompanied by enlargement of regional Lymph Nodes.

In women, erythroplasia in the vulvar region tends to follow a more rapid course.

Differential Diagnosis is necessary: in men—from hard chancre, balanoposthitis, Leukoplakia, and penile tuberculosis; in women—from Kraurosis Vulvae.

Treatment must be active and prompt. In the early stages, the antitumor antibiotic bleomycin, electrocoagulation, or surgery (with lymph node dissection) is effective; in the late stage—Radiation therapy. The disease has a tendency to recur.