Which treatment can be used for small lesions of genital warts?

Study for the USMLE Step 2 CK Exam. Prepare with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Small lesions of genital warts, which are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), can effectively be treated with various topical agents. Trichloroacetic acid and podophyllin are both chemical agents that can be applied directly to the wart lesions.

Trichloroacetic acid acts as a caustic agent that helps to destroy wart tissue. It is typically applied in a diluted form and can be used in an outpatient setting. The application causes the wart to eventually slough off as it promotes the local destruction of the HPV-infected tissue.

Podophyllin, on the other hand, is derived from the mandrake plant and also serves as a topical chemotherapy agent. It works by causing cell cycle arrest in HPV-infected cells, leading to their necrosis and subsequent resolution of the warts. It is generally applied by a healthcare provider due to its potency.

Both of these treatments are suitable for small lesions, making them effective options for managing genital warts. Since both agents can be utilized in the treatment of small genital wart lesions, the correct answer recognizes the combined use of these two therapies.

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