The human papilloma virus, or HPV, is one of the most common virus groups. According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, it contains more than 100 related viruses. Approximately 30 types are passed from person to person through sexual contact. HPV affects the skin and mucosal regions of the body and in some cases may cause papillomas or warts. Some forms of this virus cause common warts on the feet and hands while other types form growths in the throat and genital area and the birth canal in women. Most HPV infections occur without noticeable symptoms and can persist for several years.
Epithelial Warts
The most common forms of the human papilloma virus cause benign papillomas or warts that grow in the epithelial cells of the skin on the hands, feet, arms and legs. These small growths are called condyloma tissue and may be small and cauliflower shaped in appearance. These skin warts are not cancerous and generally do not cause pain. They may cause some irritation, itching or burning depending on where they are located. HPV warts on the genitals are called condylomata acuminatum and are sexually transmitted primarily through two very common forms of HPV called types 6 and 11. In rare cases, these HPVs can also cause growths on the epithelial cells of the throat. This condition is called recurrent respiratory papillomatosis or RRP.
Benign Changes
Information from the website The HPV Test notes that about 12 forms of HPV are considered to be low risk or benign types because they do not cause cancer. However, they can cause some minor changes in the cells of the cervix in women. These low-risk forms of the human papilloma virus are labeled with numbers and, along with the wart-causing HPVs 6 and 11, include 40, 42, 43, 44, 53, 54, 61, 72, 73 and HPV-81.
Cancer Risk
HPV is commonly linked to cervical cancer and some types can also cause oral or mouth cancers as well. The National Cancer Institute notes that these types of HPV are a serious problem, particularly for women. They can be sexually transmitted and cause slow changes in the cervix for many years without any symptoms. The HPV Test site warns that there are more than a dozen high-risk HPV types including HPVs 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59 and HPV-68. However, HPV 16 and 18 are known to cause almost 70 percent of cervical cancers and may also be linked to oral cancers. Abnormal malignant changes in the cells due to HPV generally appear flat and nearly invisible, unlike warts that other harmless types of HPV cause.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Genital HPV Infection -- Fact Sheet
- Mouth Cancer Foundation: Mouth Cancer and the Human Papilloma Virus
- National Cancer Institute: Human Papilloma viruses and Cancer -- Questions and Answers
- Oral Cancer Foundation: The Human Papilloma Virus
- The HPV Test: A Primer on HPV Types
