ABSTRACT
Primary syphilis presents as a round painless ulcer with an indurated base about 3 weeks after infection. Any indurated ulcer on the genitalia which is negative on dark ground microscopy should be biopsied to exclude a squamous cell carcinoma or intra-epithelial neoplasia. Irregular shallow serpiginous erosions on the penis, scrotum or vulva should suggest secondary syphilis. Similar lesions can occur on the buccal mucosa and tongue. Hidradenitis Suppurativa is an uncommon condition where painful papules, nodules, discharging sinuses and scars occur at sites where apocrine glands are present, i.e. in the axillae, pubic area, labia majora, scrotum, groins, perianal skin, buttocks or the areolae of the breasts. There is a considerable body of evidence to suggest that genital infection with Herpes simplex type 2 is one of the causative factors in the development of carcinoma of the cervix.
