Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)

What is HPV?

The abbreviation HPV stands for the virus group of human papilloma viruses. In the meantime, about 124 different virus types are known, most of which are transmitted through skin and mucous membrane contact. Thus they are the most common sexually transmitted viruses in the world.

Depending on the subtype of the human papilloma viruses, they can cause warts to form at the site of infection, i.e. on the skin or genitals. Many infections even go unnoticed. Human papilloma viruses are clinically relevant, as some subspecies can cause malignant changes.

Thus, the subtypes are divided into risk groups. So-called “high-risk” viruses are significantly involved in the development of various types of cancer. These include above all cervical cancer, but in rare cases also malignant tumors of the penis, vulva, anus and oral cavity.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has so far classified 13 of the 124 types of HPV as carcinogenic. Most HPV infections are asymptomatic and heal independently. Infections with “low-risk” viruses can lead to benign tumors.

At the site of infection, they appear as warts, and on the anus they are called “genital warts“. Among sexually active people, about 80% are infected with HPV during their lifetime. About 10% of all women remain permanently infected.

The viruses can remain inactive for many years and only develop symptoms much later. If “high-risk” viruses are present, cell changes in the cervix can occur. As a result, malignant cervical cancer, the so-called “cervical carcinoma”, can develop.

The risk of cervical carcinoma caused by HPV infections is reduced nowadays. In the meantime, vaccination against the most common risk types is part of the standardized vaccination calendar. For women, early detection methods are part of the annual routine examination.

Symptoms

Symptoms vary depending on the type of human papilloma virus you are infected with. Most infections remain asymptomatic and heal completely on their own within 1-2 years. Some infections also remain asymptomatic, but may persist for a long time.

Symptoms can still appear after months or years. The cancer-causing “high-risk” viruses initially remain symptomless. It takes years before the persistent virus causes a change in the mucosa and a potential malignant cancer.

“Low-risk” viruses usually lead to benign tumor growth at the site of infection. These manifest themselves as warts on the skin or mucous membrane of the genitals, anal area or oral cavity. They are very small and pointed and can occur singly or in clusters as formations.

They are called “genital warts“. The genital warts do not cause pain. Only in some cases, the surrounding skin can redden and become inflamed.

They usually do not have to be treated, because they often heal by themselves. For aesthetic reasons and because the genital warts are contagious, they are often removed. After removal, they must be treated permanently, otherwise they reappear again and again. In very rare cases, a benign wart can still develop into a malignant cancer.