Verrucous carcinoma of the nail bed in two patients with evidence of Human Papillomavirus infection

Digital squamous cell carcinoma is relatively rare and may present a diagnostic challenge by mimicking benign conditions, such as verruca vulgaris. We describe two patients with longstanding verrucous lesions of the nail bed, which proved to be squamous cell carcinoma at the histopathology examination, with molecular and cytological evidence of HPV infection. Complete excision was performed. The cases highlight the necessity of a high index of suspicion in longstanding verrucous lesions of the digits, resistant to conventional anti-verruca vulgaris treatments.