There has been a lot of recent media attention on the Human Papillomaviruses (HPV) and how they affect young women. It is important to note that men can also transmit HPV and that the virus can affect their health as well. Fadi Joudi, MD, FRCS (C), urologist at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, talks about HPV in men:
What is a Human Papillomavirus?
HPV is a double stranded DNA virus which is a common cause of sexually transmitted disease. There are many serotypes, up to 90, some of them associated with benign warts like type 6 and 11 and others associated with malignancy like cervical cancer, or penile cancer, types 16 and 18.
How is HPV spread from one individual to another?
It is mainly a sexually transmitted disease, however other nonsexual routes of transmission are possible
What are the symptoms of the virus? In women? In men?
Most patients are asymptomatic. Patients can present with genital warts (males or females). A positive pap smear can be the initial presentation in women.
How is HPV diagnosed?
It is diagnosed by a special test on a skin scraping (PCR).
We know about a recent vaccination developed for young women and teen-aged girls. What about young men? How is an HPV diagnosis made in men?
Diagnosis in men is similar to women; the prevalence of this viral infection is more common in women than men (it's not clear why, but female tissues may be more prone to be infected by the virus), thus more research has been done in women and consequently the development of a vaccine. Vaccine is currently being studied in men in a phase III trial.
How is HPV treated in men?
There is no cure for HPV. Patients who have warts can be treated with excision of these warts, freezing, laser ablation, or apply creams (it depends on location and size).
If left untreated in men what are the long-term risks of HPV?
Again, most patients are asymptomatic and may not know they have HPV. For those that have any abnormality on their genitals, they need to have these biopsied to rule out malignancy. If a patient has benign genital warts then there are no long-term risks of malignancy. These warts, however, can increase in size and bleed and it is easier to treat them when smaller.
When should a male with a diagnosis of HPV be seen by a specialist in urology?
When a male notices any abnormalities on the genitals then he should be seen by a urologist.
Is UI Hospitals and Clinics involved in any research with regard o HPV in men?
A research group is studying HPV and oral cancer.
Prevention: sexual abstinence, condoms decrease the risk but do not eliminate it, decrease number of sexual partners |
