EPIDERMODYSPLASIA VERRUCIFORMIS

Abstract
A patient with epidermodysplasia verruciformis was followed over a ten year period. This rare genetic disorder, characterised by papillomavirus-associated skin lesions and squamous cell carcinomas, is difficult to manage and invariably shortens the lifespan due to metastases from skin carcinomas. In our case, we confirmed the diagnosis using nucleic acid hybridisation, at high stringency, to cloned papillomavirus DNA. Relentless progression of disease occurred despite varied and increasingly vigorous treatment modalities.