Overview of Cancers Caused by HPV Infection

HPV (Human Papillomavirus) is transmitted from one person to another through skin-to-skin contact. It has more than 150 different types of HPV and is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the country. Most women and men may not show any symptoms of HPV cancer. However, certain strains of HPV can cause warts to appear on different parts of the body. Other strains may cause precancerous lesions that can develop into cancer if not treated.

Infections caused by HPV can lead to symptoms of cancer, such as warts on the hands and feet. However, there are at least 40 other strains of HPV that can cause symptoms of genital cancer and oral cancer.

It is usually caused by oral, anal, or vaginal sex.

In women, genital HPV can cause symptoms of cancer on the outer and inner surfaces of the vagina. For men, it can also affect the penis and anal area. HPV strains that infect the genital area in the form of warts or lesions are usually called HPV-16 or HPV-18. These specific types of HPV can cause warts of different shapes, sizes, and numbers and rarely develop into cancer. That being said, HPV 6 and HPV 11 are "low-risk" infections that can cause warts on the hands or legs.

Most people with healthy immune systems can get rid of the infection without serious health complications. However, "high-risk" HPV can cause a permanent infection that can lead to precancerous symptoms over the years.

Cancers caused by HPV

Oral cancer

These include cancers of the mouth and tongue. It can also lead to cancer of the oropharynx, which is the middle part of the throat, including the tips of the tonsils and the larynx. Changes in sexual behavior can lead to oral cancer in both men and women.

Cervical cancer

This is the most common cancer caused by HPV. Almost 70 percent of cervical cancers are caused by HPV virus types 16 and 18. Smoking also increases the risk of cervical cancer because it weakens the immune system.

Treating symptoms of cancer caused by HPV

There are vaccines that can reduce the risk of HPV cancer, but they can't cure an existing infection. While the cancer is hard to cure, doctors usually prescribe treatments to ease the symptoms of HPV cancer caused by an HPV infection. Removal of precancerous lesions and warts through:

• Cryotechnology
• Surgery
• Ointments that can be applied topically for genital warts
• Electrosurgery that uses an electric current to remove abnormal tissue

Therefore, after detecting symptoms of HPV infection, it is necessary to consult an oncologist for appropriate treatment, otherwise precancerous lesions may develop.