Human papillomavirus (HPV) is associated with cancer of the cervix uteri, penis, vulva, vagina, anus and oropharynx.
However, the role of HPV infection in urological tumors is not yet clarified. HPV appears not to play a major causative role in renal and testicular carcinogenesis. However, HPV infection should be kept in mind regarding cases of prostate cancer, as well as in a sub-group of patients with bladder cancer with squamous differentiation. Concerning the role of HPV in penile cancer incidence, it is a recognized risk factor proven in a large number of studies. This short review provides an update regarding recent literature on HPV in urological malignancies, thereby, also discussing possible limitations on HPV detection in urological cancer.
Written by:
Heidegger I, Borena W, Pichler R. Are you the author?
Department of Urology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria; Division of Virology, Department of Hygiene, Microbiology and Social Medicine, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
Reference: Anticancer Res. 2015 May;35(5):2513-2519.
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 25964524