Human Papilloma Virus ,commonly known as HPV -It is a virus that is present in the vulva,vagina,anal area ,mouth ,throat ,consisting of about 200 different types .There are some high risk types and some low risk types . The high risk types are 16,18 ,31 33,35 38,45 ,51,52,56,58and 59.The low risk types are 9,11
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common sexually transmitted infection. Almost all sexually active people will be infected at some point in their lives, usually without symptoms. This infection typically resolves on its own within a couple of years through our immune system's natural processes. However, about ten percent of infections persist. It is the persistent infection that gives rise to problems in the form of warts or cancer. The low type like the 9 and 11 give rise to warts-genital,anal,mouth ,throat ,The genital warts are treatable . The high risk types, as mentioned above, give rise to cervical pre-cancer and eventually, cervical cancer . Types 16 and 18 are responsible for 70 percent of cervical cancer, and combined, they are responsible for 95 percent of all cervical cancer cases.
The HPV enter the body through the damaged skin and mucous membranes of the genital area and that of mouth .It then produces changes inside the cell that brings about changes that are first precancerous . In medical language they are called Cervical intraepithelial Neoplasia .They could be of low grade,moderate grade or high grade (CIN 1,2,3).If not detected and treated ,the types 2 and 3 could lead to Invasive Cervical cancer differing in stages when it is detected .
There are three important saving graces . Number one, 90percent of HPV infection gets treated by our own body's defence system .
Number two, for those infections that do not go away,persist ,it takes 5-10 years to become pre cancerous . And 15-20 years to become Cancerous . It gives adequate time to screen and detect the condition and treat . Pre-cancerous state is highly amenable to treatment-almost 100 percent.-either by Thermal Ablation,Cryofreezing or LEEP.
Number three,Cancers from HPV can be prevented with vaccines.Vaccines that are available in the market are Cervarix (bivalent),Gardasil (quadrivalent).Gardasil (nonavalent).
The vaccine does not contain any live virus or DNA from the virus so it cannot cause cancer or other HPV-related illnesses. The HPV vaccine is not used to treat HPV infections or diseases caused by HPV, but instead to prevent the development of cancers.
The vaccine is best given to girls between 9 and 15 years up to the age of 26 years -before the first sexual encounter. From prevention against any new infection ,the vaccination can be had up to the age of 45 years .
Currently, cervical cancer is the only HPV-caused cancer for which screening tests are available. Screening tests are used to check for disease when there are no symptoms. The goal of screening for cervical cancer is to find precancerous cell changes before they become cancer and when treatment can prevent cancer from developing. Screening for cervical cancer is an important part of routine health care for people who have a cervix. This includes women and transgender men who still have a cervix. For screening purpose,PAP smear must be done every three years by all women above the age of 30 yrs and every 5 years when combined with HPV testing until the age of 65 years .
Cervical cancer is the most common type of cancer caused by HPV, other less common cancers affecting men and women, including anal, vulvar, vaginal, mouth/throat and penile cancers.
There is currently no treatment for HPV infection. Treatments exist for genital warts, cervical precancers and cervical cancer.
Non-cancerous genital warts and precancerous lesions in the cervix, vagina, vulva, anus or penis can be removed or treated by ablation (freezing or heating) or with surgery.
Currently, cancer of the cervix (cervical cancer) is the only HPV-caused cancer for which screening tests are available.
Treatments for cancers caused by HPV (including cervical cancer) are more effective if diagnosed early. Treatment should begin quickly after diagnosis.
The regular screening by PAP smear and HPV testing and Vaccination has brought down the incidence of the cervical cancers in the developed countries drastically . The low income and middle income countries need to scale up the preventive measures to bring down the rate of cervical cancer.
