Human papillomavirus (HPV)


Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a very common virus transmitted through sexual contact. There are over 100 different types of HPV, and some are more likely than others to cause health problems, including cancer. HPV infects specific cells called squamous cells, which are normally found in areas such as the skin, mouth, throat, cervix, penis, and anal canal.

How is human papillomavirus spread?

HPV spreads primarily through sexual contact, including vaginal, anal, and oral sex. It can also spread through skin-to-skin contact during sexual activity, even if intercourse does not occur. Because HPV often has no visible signs or symptoms, many people are unaware they have the infection and can unknowingly pass the virus to others.

What are the symptoms of human papillomavirus infection?

Most people who get infected with HPV do not experience any symptoms, and their bodies clear the virus naturally over time. However, in some individuals, HPV can lead to visible symptoms, including genital warts—small, painless growths in the genital or anal areas. More importantly, some types of HPV infection can cause serious health issues such as cervical, anal, penile, or throat cancers.

What is high-risk human papillomavirus?

High-risk HPV types are those specific strains of the virus that are more likely to cause cancer. Unlike low-risk HPV, which usually clears from the body quickly, high-risk HPV can persist in cells for many years. Over time, this persistent infection can cause normal cells to become abnormal and eventually develop into cancer.

Common cancers associated with high-risk HPV include cervical cancer, anal cancer, throat cancer (especially involving the tonsils and base of the tongue), and penile cancer. It’s important to understand that having a high-risk HPV infection does not guarantee that cancer will develop, but it does increase the risk significantly. High-risk HPV can sometimes also cause genital warts, though this is less common.

The known high-risk HPV types include: HPV 16, HPV 18, HPV 31, HPV 33, HPV 35, HPV 39, HPV 45, HPV 51, HPV 52, HPV 56, HPV 58, HPV 59, HPV 66, and HPV 68.

What are the most common high-risk types of human papillomavirus?

The most common and significant high-risk HPV types are HPV 16 and HPV 18. Together, these two types are responsible for most HPV-related cancers, including the majority of cervical cancers, anal cancers, and certain types of throat cancers.

What types of cancer are caused by human papillomavirus?

HPV infection is the primary cause of several cancers, including cervical, penile, anal, and throat cancers. In these areas, HPV typically causes a cancer called squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). This type of cancer involves the abnormal growth of squamous cells, which line various parts of the body. In some regions, such as the throat, these cancers are specifically referred to as nonkeratinizing squamous cell carcinoma (NKSCC), meaning the cancer cells do not produce keratin, a protein typically found in healthy squamous cells, which makes them appear distinct under the microscope.

What precancerous conditions are caused by human papillomavirus?

HPV can lead to precancerous changes known as squamous intraepithelial lesions, which pathologists divide into two groups based on their risk for developing into cancer:

How do doctors test for human papillomavirus?

Doctors use several methods to detect HPV infections. Recently, screening methods have become available that specifically test for high-risk HPV types, allowing doctors to identify individuals at higher risk for developing precancerous or cancerous changes. If high-risk HPV is detected through screening, additional tests, such as a Pap smear (which collects cells from the cervix) or a biopsy (which removes a small tissue sample), may be performed to closely examine cells under a microscope and determine whether any abnormalities are present.

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