Human papillomavirus, or HPV, is a sexually transmitted virus that can affect you in a variety of different ways. More than 100 different types have been identified, and while some are completely harmless, causing things like warts on your skin, others can contribute to the development of diseases such as cervical cancer. These types are called oncogenic, or high-risk HPV, and are found in more than 99 percent of cervical cancers.
HPV 16
HPV 16 is an oncogenic strain of HPV that is found in 50 to 70 percent of cervical cancer cases worldwide. Although the majority of women are likely to be infected with this virus at some point in their lives, very few will develop cervical cancer. The leading cause of death in women in developing countries is cervical cancer; however, that is not the case in the US. Worldwide there is are an estimated 500,000 cases and more than 250,000 deaths. In 2009, the approximately 11,000 cases were identified and about 4,000 women died of this disease in the U.S. This huge discrepancy is due to the availability of the pap smear, which allows your health care provider determine if you have been infected with HPV and what further action, if any, is required.
HPV 18
HPV 18 is the second-most common type of HPV seen in cervical cancer, and it is responsible for approximately 7 to 20 percent of cervical cancers. Together with HPV 16, these viruses are responsible for over 70 percent of cervical cancer cases, according to the National Cancer Institute. Although sexual intercourse transmits the virus, other forms of intimate contact can as well. Therefore it is important that you protect yourself from the virus. This can be done by abstaining from intimate contact with partners who are infected and also by getting the HPV vaccine, which protects you from HPV 16 and 18. Talk with your healthcare provider if you are interested in getting the vaccine.
Other Oncogenic HPV Types
The other high-risk HPV types include 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58. These types are responsible for the remainder of the cases of cervical cancer and are not part of the HPV vaccine. Therefore, if you have gotten the HPV vaccine, you can still be infected with these other forms of high-risk HPV.
References
- "Practical Gynecologic Oncology" 4th ed; Berek, JS and Hacker, NF; Lippincott, Williams, and Wilkins; Philadelphia; 2005
- "Pathology and Epidemiology of HPV Infection in Females;" Stanley, S.; "Gynecol Oncol;" 2010; s5-s10.
- "Invasive Cervical Cancer: Epidemiology, Clinical Features, and Diagnosis;" Holschneider, C; UpToDate; Ed 18.1
- National Cancer Institute: Human Papillomaviruses and Cancer: Questions and Answers
