Infecţia cu HPV: de la localizări comune la manifestări rare

Abstract

Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are responsible for ap­pro­xi­ma­tely 5% of all cancers, with high-risk types causing nearly all cervical cancer cases. While cervical cancer is the most recognized outcome of HPV infection, the virus also con­tri­butes to vulvar, vaginal, penile, anal, and head and neck can­cers. HPV types 16 and 18 are the primary culprits in these malignancies. HPVs exhibit strict host specificity and en­com­pass over 100 types, some linked to benign conditions like genital warts. The viral oncoproteins E6 and E7 play a crucial role in cancer development by inhibiting tumor sup­pressor genes. HPV-related diseases manifest in various ways, from common conditions like anogenital and plantar warts to rare presentations such as recurrent respiratory pa­pil­lo­ma­to­sis, conjunctival papillomas, and middle ear car­ci­no­mas. The clinicians must recognize this diversity to en­sure the accurate diagnosis and management. Preventive mea­sures, particularly large-scale vaccination, are essential to reduce the incidence and complications of HPV-related diseases.