High Risk HPV
HPV is a family of viruses, including so called high risk HPV types and low risk HPV types. It was shown that HPV infection is among the most frequent sexually transmitted infections in adult people. This infection may trigger epithelial abnormal growths on different parts of the body. Generally, these growths aren't very dangerous for human health. However, some HPV viruses are responsible for malignant tumors which can lead to death of the patient.
Types which are linked to carcinogenesis are considered to be high risk HPV types, and types that are very rarely associated with cancerous lesions are called low risk HPV types. The most dangerous condition associated with high risk HPV is the cancer of the cervix, but there are also other diseases caused by this group of HPV types. At the same time, the presence of high risk HPV types in a patient doesn't always mean, that cancer will develop.
High risk HPV type may be neutralized by the immune system of the infected person. Factors of an increased risk of cancer in the person infected by a high risk HPV are smoking, depressed immune system, unfavorable life conditions, genetic predisposition to cancerous diseases and others. Generally, cervical cancer development takes several years, and it is preceded by condition called cervical dysplasia.
Low risk HPV types, unlike high risk HPV, only very rarely cause cancerous conditions. However, they are also able to cause abnormal transformations in the cells of epithelial tissue. Lesions induced by these types are known as warts or papillomas which are benign tumors. Some warts are so small that it is impossible to detect them with the naked eye. It is not uncommon that infected people do not develop visible signs of HPV infection and are unaware that they are infected.
The management for the HPV-infected patients depends on the virus induced condition. In case HPV infection is detected by the tests, but the person has no lesions associated with HPV, there may be no specific treatment. Very often HPV infection, both with high risk HPV and low risk HPV, goes away without causing serious health problems. In patients with warts the treatment may be based on the use of special solutions, creams and antiviral drugs.
The presence of severe lesions is most often the indication for a surgical removal, as the risk of cancer is increased. The lesions may be removed by cone biopsy, laser, Leep procedure or cryotherapy. It may also be indicated to perform hysterectomy, a removal of the cervix or uterus, especially if lesions induced by high risk HPV affect a large area.
