HPV – Relevance, Oncogenesis and Diagnosis (A Review)

Abstract

According to authoritative sources, 660 million people are registered worldwide as infected with the human papillomavirus, otherwise HPV. Three-quarters of the sexually active part of the population becomes infected with HPV throughout their lives, between the ages of 18 and 30 years. Of this number, more than 300,000 people die every year from oncological diseases, while the initiating factor in the carcinogenesis of the above diseases is HPV [6]. To date, more than 600 strains of HPV have been identified, with each strain genetically different from another closely related type by approximately 10%. Strains No. 16 and 18 have the highest oncogenic potential. Only these two HPV strains account for up to 95% of oral cavity cancer. In addition, in total, these types cause up to 92% of anal cancers, 89% of oropharyngeal cancers, 80% of vulvar and vaginal cancers, also 70% of cervical cancers and 63% of penis cancers. These figures show how wide the scope of clinical problems is, and how relevant the problem of early diagnosis is for the prevention of malignant neoplasms caused by HPV.