What cancers can be caused by HPV?

What cancers can be caused by HPV?

• A. Lung cancer
• B. Breast cancer
• C. Cervical, penile, anal, oropharyngeal
• D. Skin cancer

Answer: (C)

HPV can cause cancers in tissues where the virus infects mucosal cells, notably the cervix, anus, penis, and oropharynx. High-risk HPV types, especially 16 and 18, can integrate into host DNA and disrupt cell-cycle controls, leading to malignant transformation over years. Because of this, the cancers most strongly linked to HPV are cervical cancer, along with anal, penile, and HPV‑positive oropharyngeal cancers. Vaccination against HPV reduces risk for these cancers. Other common cancers such as lung, breast, and skin cancer are not driven by HPV in the same established way, so they are not considered HPV‑related cancers.

HPV can cause cancers in tissues where the virus infects mucosal cells, notably the cervix, anus, penis, and oropharynx. High-risk HPV types, especially 16 and 18, can integrate into host DNA and disrupt cell-cycle controls, leading to malignant transformation over years. Because of this, the cancers most strongly linked to HPV are cervical cancer, along with anal, penile, and HPV‑positive oropharyngeal cancers. Vaccination against HPV reduces risk for these cancers. Other common cancers such as lung, breast, and skin cancer are not driven by HPV in the same established way, so they are not considered HPV‑related cancers.