ABSTRACT
The vast majority of genital lesions are benign. Some may be sexually acquired (e.g. viral warts, mollusca) and some may be part of a generalised condition (e.g. lichen planus). Basal Cell Papilloma is the commonest benign skin lesion. They tend to asymptomatic but may occasionally itch. Lesions are usually pigmented and are more common in older people. Melanocytic naevi may be found anywhere on the skin including the genitals. Genital warts are the commonest diagnosed viral infection in the United Kingdom and many other countries in the world. Infections are due to the human papilloma virus (HPV) of which over 70 subtypes have been identified. HPV is spread by direct inoculation into the skin through microabrasions. There is then a latency period of months to years before clinical lesions become apparent. Genital warts appear as painless epidermal lesions. They may be plane (flat), filiform (fingerlike), papillomatous (small lumps), verrucous (warty) or pigmented.
