Abstract
Human papillomaviruses (HPV) affect skin and mucous membranes. Their prevalence in the population is high and their importance lies in the ability to initiate neoplastic changes in afflicted tissues.
Uterine cervix carcinoma and oropharyngeal carcinoma are the most typical ones of the HPV associated malignancies. Genital warts and recurrent respiratory papilomatosis are considered the most common bening HPV associated lesions.
Risk factors of HPV infection include sexual promiscuity, early coitarche, smoking and immune system disorders. Prevention of the infection should be emphasized considering severity of the subsequent diseases.
Three preventive vaccines are used worldwide since 2006. Their efficacy lasts as long as the indication and timing of the vaccination are abided.
Therapeutic vaccines could become a new modality in the HPV associated cancer therapy. In this article we review the etiology of HPV associated diseases, their epidemiology, therapy and prevention.