Herpes vegetans mimicking penile malignancy in a patient living with human immunodeficiency virus

A 51-year-old man with HIV infection presented to the dermatology clinic with a 2-year history of recurrent penile ulceration and a large, fungating, exophytic mass with ulceration. Histopathology revealed no evidence of malignancy; herpes simplex viruses 1 and 2 were detected on polymerase chain reaction and a diagnosis of herpes vegetans was made. The patient was treated successfully with oral valaciclovir, resulting in complete resolution of lesions.