HPV (human papilloma viruses) are not the only cause of so-called anogenital cancer. While HPV is responsible for 95 percent of squamous cell carcinomas of the cervix and anus, only about half of vulvar and penile cancers are caused by the virus. This was emphasized on Monday in the run-up to the international HPV congress EUROGIN (March 18 to 21) taking place at the Austria Center Vienna. HPV-independent anogenital cancer is often more aggressive.
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“In general, the World Health Organization (WHO) differentiates between HPV-induced and HPV-independent cancer in the anogenital area, which includes the cervix, anus, penis and vulva. While HPV-associated carcinomas are considered a late consequence of a sexually transmitted HPV infection, the causes of HPV-negative carcinomas are not yet fully understood,” explained dermapathologist Sigrid Regauer in a press release from the Austria Center Vienna.
Differentiation important for treatment
“The distinction is essential for the correct treatment of the corresponding precancerous lesions, because HPV-independent cancers develop much faster than HPV-induced carcinomas,” emphasized Regauer. In contrast, with HPV-induced cancer, there are often many years or even decades between the infection, the development of non-invasive precancerous lesions and the progression to invasive carcinoma. This slow progression makes it possible to try time-consuming therapy options in addition to surgical removal or laser therapy in the treatment of precancerous lesions.
Two thirds of HPV-negative vulvar and penile carcinomas arise from dermatoses, i.e. inflammation of the skin (eczema). Dermatoses very often occur at the same time as other autoimmune diseases, such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, vitiligo or psoriasis, or in people whose immune systems are weakened by other circumstances. “It is particularly important that these dermatoses, which primarily cause unpleasant itching and pain, should be treated quickly, because treatment of the dermatoses in accordance with guidelines reduces the risk of cancer,” reported Regauer.
Doctor: No false shame
“That’s exactly why it’s particularly important to recognize dermatoses early, treat them quickly, and then have regular check-ups. Unfortunately, this doesn’t always happen – often because of the great shame of the people affected,” said Regauer. She appeals to those affected not to show false shame and to society not to stigmatize patients with anogenital cancer.
There are also rare HPV-independent invasive squamous cell carcinomas of the cervix. These have only been documented in the past ten years. “In addition to the molecular and histological characterization of the invasive carcinomas at the Institute of Pathology at the Med University of Graz, our working group also succeeded in publishing the first publication of the histological and molecular classification of the HPV-negative cervical precursors, which corresponds to those of the vulva and the penis, in 2022 and 2023,” reported Regauer from the Diagnostics and Research Institute of Pathology at the Med University of Graz.
HPV vaccination against multiple types of cancer
For HPV-triggered carcinomas of the cervix, vagina, vulva, penis, anus, throat and larynx, there is an HPV vaccination to prevent it, emphasized Regauer. The HPV vaccination is free in Austria for people from their ninth to their 21st birthday. The following applies to people aged 21 to 30: If the first vaccination in the temporary, free catch-up vaccination program was received by December 31, 2025, then the second vaccination can also be given free of charge until June 30, 2026.
(S E R V I C E – www.eurogin.com )
(What: APA)
