Yaws is an infectious, non-venereal disease of the tropical countries, which is caused by Treponema pertenue. Gangosa and goundou were seen commonly in cases of yaws in Africa, particularly in the early part of this century. After successful WHO mass treatment campaigns, these conditions are rarely seen now. A case of yaws with gangosa, goundou, and a nasopharyngeal carcinoma is presented here for its rarity.
Yaws, a spirochetal infection that is endemic in certain tropical countries, including Malaysia, may present with various orthopedic problems. As the condition is relatively unknown, diagnosis is often missed, which leads to poor management. There are initial, early, and late phases of the disease process. By involving skin, bone, and joints, yaws can produce deep ulcerations, joint deformities, and bone destruction. Within a ten-year period in Malaysia, 14 cases of serologically proven yaws have been treated for chronic ulcers, gross joint deformities, and pathologic fractures.