Human Papillomavirus and Associated Cancers: A Review

• Published in: Viruses Vol. 16; no. 5; p. 680
• Main Authors: Jensen, JaNiese E, Becker, Greta L, Jackson, J Brooks, Rysavy, Mary B
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 01.05.2024
• Subjects: Africa; Age; Analysis; Anus Neoplasms - epidemiology; Anus Neoplasms - prevention & control; Anus Neoplasms - virology; Cancer; Cancer vaccines; Care and treatment; Cellular biology; Cervical cancer; Cervix; Complications and side effects; Development and progression; Diagnosis; Disease transmission; Female; Gene expression; Genetic testing; Genomes; HIV; HIV (Viruses); HIV Infections - complications; HIV Infections - prevention & control; HIV Infections - virology; HPV vaccine; Human immunodeficiency virus; Human papillomavirus; Human Papillomavirus Viruses; Humans; Infections; Male; Morbidity; Mortality; Neoplasms - virology; Oropharyngeal Neoplasms - prevention & control; Oropharyngeal Neoplasms - virology; Pap smear; Papillomaviridae - pathogenicity; Papillomavirus infections; Papillomavirus Infections - complications; Papillomavirus Infections - prevention & control; Papillomavirus Infections - virology; Papillomavirus Vaccines - administration & dosage; Papillomaviruses; Pathology; Penis; Prevention; Sexually transmitted diseases; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms - prevention & control; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms - virology; Vaccination; Vaccines; Vagina; Viruses; Warts; Womens health; United States; Africa; United States > US; HIV; HPV vaccine; cervical cancer; human papillomavirus
• ISSN: 1999-4915; 1999-4915
• DOI: 10.3390/v16050680

The human papillomavirus is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the world. Most HPV infections clear spontaneously within 2 years of infection; however, persistent infection can result in a wide array of diseases, ranging from genital warts to cancer. Most cases of cervical, anal, and oropharyngeal cancers are due to HPV infection, with cervical cancer being one of the leading causes of cancer death in women worldwide. Screening is available for HPV and cervical cancer, but is not available everywhere, particularly in lower-resource settings. HPV infection disproportionally affects individuals living with HIV, resulting in decreased clearance, increased development of cancer, and increased mortality. The development of the HPV vaccine has shown a drastic decrease in HPV-related diseases. The vaccine prevents cervical cancer with near 100% efficacy, if given prior to first sexual activity. Vaccination uptake remains low worldwide due to a lack of access and limited knowledge of HPV. Increasing awareness of HPV and access to vaccination are necessary to decrease cancer and HPV-related morbidity and mortality worldwide.