1. What is the Human Papillomavirus (HPV)?
HPV is a group of more than 200 related viruses. It is the most common sexually transmitted infection which can cause different diseases such as genital warts and cancers.
HPV can lead to cervical cancer and other cancers including vulval carcinoma, vaginal cancer, penile cancers or anal carcinomas.
There are 14 high risk HPV strains namely HPV 16,18,31,33,35,39,45,51,52,56,58,59,66 and 68. HPV 16 and 18 are responsible for most HPV-related carcinomas.
2. How can HPV be prevented?
HPV can be prevented by the use of vaccines.
Gardasil 9 is one of the vaccines that protect the human against 9 types of HPV: 2 low-risk HPV types that causes genital warts and 7 high risk HPV types that causes most HPV related cancers.
The vaccination offers the most protection when given at ages 9-12 and it is estimated to prevent up to 90% of HPV related cancers.
3. What are the chances of getting cancer from HPV? What is the most common cancer caused by HPV?
More than 90% of sexually active men and 80% of sexually active women will be infected with HPV in their lifetime.
The most common cancers caused by HPV are:
1. Cervical cancers.
2. Oropharyngeal cancers.
3. Anal cancers.
4. Penile cancers.
5. Vaginal cancers.
6. Vulval cancers.
4. What are the usual symptoms of HPV?
HPV itself does not cause any symptoms. It is only the pre-cancerous conditions that can lead to symptoms.
In cervical cancers for example, although there are rarely any symptoms, regular screening can detect the infection. Pre-cancerous lesions at other sites of the body can cause symptoms like itching or bleeding.
If HPV develops into cancer, the cancer may be associated with symptoms such as pain, bleeding, swollen glands, and localized growth.
5. What is the best treatment for HPV?
Although the HPV infection itself cannot be treated, the vaccine if given in due course can prevent the cancers from developing in up to 90% of cases.
However, precancerous lesions can be treated in these 2 cases:
1. When the precancerous cervical cell changes, a loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) can be carried out.
2. Precancerous vaginal, vulval, penile and anal lesions along with genital warts can be treated with topical medication, surgical excision cryosurgery or laser therapy.
Dr Vikramsingh KimCurran
Clinical Oncologist
M.B.B.S
PG Dip. Clinical Oncology
M.D Clinical Oncology
Member of Oncology Society (Mauritius)
