Cancers Linked With HPV

Throat (oropharyngeal) cancer

HPV causes most cases of throat (oropharyngeal) cancer. These cancers start in the oropharynx, which is the middle part of the throat behind the oral cavity.

In the US, throat cancer is the most common cancer caused by HPV. It mostly affects men.

Prevention and early detection

Several actions help lower the risk of throat cancer:

• On-time HPV vaccination
• Not smoking
• Not drinking

ACS does not have a guideline for the early detection of throat cancer. At this time, there are no standard screening tests for these cancers. However, some dentists might check for signs of these cancers during routine appointments.

Cervical cancer

Cervical cancer is the most common cancer linked to HPV in women and people with a cervix. Nearly all cervical cancers are caused by HPV. Now that more people are getting screened for cervical cancer and getting vaccinated against HPV, the rates of cervical cancer are going down.

Prevention and early detection

ACS has a cervical cancer screening guideline. Getting the HPV vaccine and regular screening tests can prevent most cases of cervical cancer.

Screening tests that are used include:

• HPV tests, which look for an HPV infection
• Pap tests, which look for changes in cervical cells caused by HPV infection

Not smoking or drinking alcohol can also help lower your risk.

Anal cancer

HPV can cause cancer of the anus. The anus is the opening at the last part of the intestines that connects to the outside of the body.

Prevention and early detection

On-time vaccination with the HPV vaccine protects against anal cancers caused by HPV.

ACS does not have a guideline for the early detection of anal cancer. Some doctors might recommend screening for anal cancer in people at high risk. How often screening is needed depends on a person’s risk factors and their healthcare provider’s recommendations.

Those at high risk include:

• People living with HIV
• Men who have sex with men
• Transgender women
• People with vulvar cancer or precancer
• People with a solid organ transplant

Screening for anal cancer might include a physical exam, anal cytology, also called an anal Pap test, and sometimes anal HPV testing.

Not smoking or drinking alcohol can also help lower your risk.

Vulvar cancer

HPV can cause cancer of the vulva. The vulva is the outer part of the female genital organs.

Prevention and early detection

On-time vaccination with the HPV vaccine protects against most vulvar cancers caused by HPV.

The ACS does not have a guideline for the early detection of vulvar cancer. There is no standard screening test for this type of cancer. It is usually found because a person notices changes or problems in their vulvar area, or because a healthcare professional sees signs during a routine pelvic exam.

If you notice changes such as vulvar itching, a bump or sore, or bleeding not related to your menstrual period, or if you have any other symptoms that last for 2 or more weeks, see your healthcare provider to find the cause.

Not smoking or drinking alcohol can also help lower your risk of vulvar cancer.

Penile cancer

HPV can cause cancer of the penis.

Prevention and early detection

On-time vaccination with the HPV vaccine protects against most penile cancers caused by HPV.

There is no standard screening test to find early signs of penile cancer. ACS does not have a guideline for the early detection of this cancer. Most penile cancers start on the skin of the penis, so they are often noticed early. For men who are not circumcised, changes or cancers that develop under the foreskin might be harder to notice.

Good genital hygiene might help lower the risk of penile cancer, especially in uncircumcised men. Not smoking or drinking alcohol can also help lower your risk.

Vaginal cancer

Most vaginal cancers contain HPV. Many vaginal precancers also contain HPV. These changes might be present for years before turning into cancer.

Prevention and early detection

On-time vaccination with the HPV vaccine protects against vaginal cancers caused by HPV.

ACS does not have a guideline for the early detection of vaginal cancer. However, precancers can sometimes be found through cervical cancer screening tests or during routine pelvic exams. If a vaginal precancer is found, it can be treated to stop further cell changes that can lead to cancer.

If you notice unusual vaginal discharge or bleeding (often after sexual activity), changes in your menstrual bleeding, or any other symptoms that last for 2 or more weeks, see your healthcare provider to find the cause.

Not smoking or drinking alcohol can also help lower your risk.

Less common HPV cancers

HPV 6 and HPV 11 are low-risk HPV types that usually cause genital warts. In rare cases, these HPV types can cause cancers.

Buschke-Löwenstein tumor

These tumors are also called giant condyloma acuminata. They happen mainly in the genital area, including the anus, penis, vulva, and vagina.

Prevention and early detection

Most of these tumors start as genital warts and slowly turn into cancer over several years, although cancer might form more quickly in people with weakened immune systems.

If you notice a growth that might be a genital wart, see your healthcare provider so it can be diagnosed and treated if needed. On-time vaccination with the HPV vaccine protects against the HPV types that cause genital warts and these tumors.

How do high-risk HPV types cause cancer?

High-risk HPV types make proteins known as E6 and E7. These proteins can interfere with tumor suppressor proteins that normally help protect against cancer. When tumor suppressor proteins are blocked inside HPV-infected cells, cancer can form over time.

The p53 protein is a protein that normally helps cells respond to DNA damage and tells cells to die if they are damaged. The HPV protein E6 binds to p53 and causes it to break down. Without the protection of p53, cells infected with high-risk HPVs can develop DNA damage and live longer than they should.

The retinoblastoma protein (pRB) is another protein that normally keeps cells from growing and dividing too quickly. The HPV protein E7 binds to pRB and causes it to break down. This allows cells infected with high-risk HPVs to keep growing when they normally do not.

The effects of viral proteins E6 and E7, combined with other gene changes, can cause cancer to form over time.