OB-GYN 101

Human papilloma virus is a common skin virus, responsible for the common skin wart (usually HPV type 1). HPV Type 1 prefers to grow on cornified, squamous epithelium, such as the fingers or the feet. HPV Type 1 has no gynecologic significance.

Other HPV Types do have gynecologic significance. Some of them are associated with the development of genital warts. These benign neoplasms are not dangerous but can be annoying. Venereal warts (condyloma accuminata) can appear on the vulva, inside the vagina, or on the cervix. They are painless, firm, cauliflower-like growths. If watched over the course of a year, about half will disappear spontaneously, while the other half will persist or grow. A number of treatments are effective in making the warts disappear, including excisional surgery, cryosurgery, electrocautery, topical acid (trichloracetic acid or bichloracetic acid), podophyllin or podophyllin-like applications, or Aldara topical applications. Any of these will make the warts go away, but the HPV virus will still persist (dormant) within the skin cells. Under the right set of circumstances (trauma, immune system distraction, etc.) the HPV can reactivate and new warts can grow, although usually this doesn't happen. Usually, once treated, the HPV lies dormant forever. There is no known cure for the HPV infection.

HPV infections are common, affecting as many as half the sexually-active adult population. They are transmitted by skin-to-skin contact from an individual shedding the virus to their sexual partner. Those with multiple sexual partners are more likely to have been infected with the HPV virus, as are immunocompromised hosts, and tobacco smokers. Immunocompromised hosts are particularly vulnerable to the effects of HPV, often demonstrating severe cases, rather than the occasional small wart.

More dangerous is the association between HPV and cervical neoplasia. Studies of cervical cancer cells and high-grade dysplasia cells have routinely found HPV. That is not to say that everyone who acquires HPV will develop cervical cancer. Rather, it appears that HPV is pre-requisite for the development of cervical cancer. Whether it develops or not hinges on many other factors, including genetic predisposition, immunologic state, and gynecologic interventions.

One important factor related to the subsequent development of cervical dysplasia and cervical canceris the particular HPV type that is present. Some are more dangerous than others.

The knowledge of which HPV type is present can be useful in some situations. For patients with a mildly abnormal Pap smear (ASC) or a low-grade cervical dysplasia, the absence of any high-risk HPV types can be moderately reassuring to the patient. A high-risk HPV type could warrant more aggressive management. However, HPV typing is not 100% accurate in predicting biologic behavior.

Vulvar Warts (Condyloma accuminata)