Most studies confirm that 99% of cervical cancer are due to Human Papilloma viruses. However, there is a small minority of cervical cancer that is not HPV related. Recently, I operated on a 17 year old girl who is completely HPV negative. I reviewed the literature and found that the youngest patient with non-HPV related cervical cancer was a 6 year old girl! The rare type is clear cell adenocarcinoma rather than the usual squamous cell carcinoma (Usually HPV related).
HPV that causing cervical cancer are almost always transmitted through sexual contact. The HPV require skin abrasion/injuries to allow them to penetrate to deeper skin layer so they can reproduce. Chronic HPV infection, especially with high risk types HPV 16 and 18, are usually required to cause cancer (exception is shorter period required in immunosuppressed patients such as HIV infected or transplant patients). This is why sexual abstinence and condoms reduce the risk of HPV infection. However, clear cell cervical cancers do not seem to require HPV or sexual intercourse to cause cancer.
HPV vaccines are effective in reducing the risks of HPV related cervical, vaginal, vulvar and anal cancers. Some patients have asked me if they could get HPV infection from the vaccines. This is very very unlikely since the vaccines do not contain HPV. The vaccines have the shell-like virus coat without HPV DNA. I don't know any case report in the world that showing HPV vaccines causing HPV infection/cancer. I highly recommend HPV vaccines for girls and boys to reduce these risks.
Disclaimer: I am a speaker and consultant to Merck which makes one of the HPV vaccines.
HPV that causing cervical cancer are almost always transmitted through sexual contact. The HPV require skin abrasion/injuries to allow them to penetrate to deeper skin layer so they can reproduce. Chronic HPV infection, especially with high risk types HPV 16 and 18, are usually required to cause cancer (exception is shorter period required in immunosuppressed patients such as HIV infected or transplant patients). This is why sexual abstinence and condoms reduce the risk of HPV infection. However, clear cell cervical cancers do not seem to require HPV or sexual intercourse to cause cancer.
HPV vaccines are effective in reducing the risks of HPV related cervical, vaginal, vulvar and anal cancers. Some patients have asked me if they could get HPV infection from the vaccines. This is very very unlikely since the vaccines do not contain HPV. The vaccines have the shell-like virus coat without HPV DNA. I don't know any case report in the world that showing HPV vaccines causing HPV infection/cancer. I highly recommend HPV vaccines for girls and boys to reduce these risks.
Disclaimer: I am a speaker and consultant to Merck which makes one of the HPV vaccines.
No comments:
Post a Comment