HPV Management Specialist

What Is HPV?

HPV stands for human papillomavirus. It is a collective group of over 150 viruses, each having its own number signifying its "type" or form. HPV is named after the warts or papillomas that some types of the viruses can eventually cause. Certain types of the HPV virus are known to cause cancer. The most common type of cancer associated with the HPV virus is cervical cancer. Of the many different HPV viruses, forty of them are known to affect the genitals of both men and women. In recent years, vaccinations have been developed to help control the spread of the HPV virus. While there is no known cure for the virus, the use of the vaccines can prevent people from contracting the disease when the patient becomes sexually active. 

What Are the Symptoms of HPV?

The HPV virus often exhibits no symptoms at all. In some cases, a flare-up will eventually disappear on its own without the patient even knowing. The most common symptom is the appearance of small, clusters of bumps that look similar to tiny heads of cauliflower. These small bumps or warts normally appear on the genitals. In advanced cases, the HPV virus may cause cervical dysplasia, and if left untreated, result in cervical cancer. Other cancers of the reproductive system have also been reported. These are commonly characterized by lesions on the penis, vulva, rectum, and up into the lining of the vagina. 

How Is HPV Treated?

There is no known cure for the HPV virus, doctors do have treatment options they can offer to their patients. A vaccination is available to help control the spread of the virus, but for those who are already infected, they do have a few options when it comes to treating the condition. Warts can be removed by cryotherapy (freezing the warts), trichloroacetic acid (chemical application applied to the wart's surface), laser evaporation, surgical removal, and cauterizing the wart using electrical current. In some cases, the doctor may choose to wait to see if the warts grow or spread. There have been cases where the warts have disappeared on their own.