There are no Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved tests to detect HPV infections or HPV-caused cell changes in anal, vulvar, vaginal, penile, or oropharyngeal tissues. Research studies are ongoing to identify tests that can detect precancers in these areas or find cancer in an earlier, more treatable stage.
Anal cancer screening: Among populations that are at higher risk for anal HPV infection, such as men who have sex with men or people who are HIV positive, research has found that an anal Pap test (also called an anal Pap smear) may help to detect early cell changes or precancerous cells. A clinical trial found that treating precancerous anal lesions (called HSIL) in people living with HIV cut their risk of developing anal cancer by more than half.
Oral cancer screening: Currently, there are no standard screening tests for oral cancer. The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF)Exit Disclaimer has found that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of screening for oral cancer in asymptomatic adults. However, dentists usually check for signs of oral and oropharyngeal cancer as part of a routine dental check-up.
Learn more about Oral Cavity, Pharyngeal, and Laryngeal Cancer Screening (PDQ®) and about symptoms in Oropharyngeal Cancer Treatment (Adult) (PDQ®). Treatment for Cell Changes Caused by HPV Infection Although HPV infection itself cannot be treated, there are treatments for the precancerous cell changes caused by infection with high-risk HPV. Precancerous cervical cell changes: Most women who have precancerous cervical cell changes are treated with the loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP), which is a method to remove the abnormal tissue. Learn more about treatments for abnormal cervical cell changes.
Precancerous vaginal, vulvar, penile, and anal lesions and genital warts: Treatment methods include topical medicines, surgical excision, cryosurgery, and laser therapy.
HPV-related cancers: Individuals who develop an HPV-related cancer generally receive the same treatment as patients with tumors at the same site that are not related to HPV infection. However, patients with HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer may receive different treatments than patients whose oropharyngeal cancers are not caused by HPV.
Learn more about treatment options for oropharyngeal cancer, including targeted therapy and new types of treatment such as immunotherapy being tested in clinical trials.
Once high-risk HPV infects cells, it interferes with the ways in which these cells communicate with one another, causing infected cells to multiply in an uncontrolled manner. These infected cells are usually recognized and controlled by the immune system. However, sometimes the infected cells remain and continue to grow, eventually forming an area of precancerous cells that, if not treated, can become cancer. Research has found that it can take 10 to 20 years, or even longer, for HPV-infected cervical cells to develop into a cancerous tumor.
Among women whose cervical cells are infected with high-risk HPV, several factors increase the chance that the infection will be long lasting and lead to precancerous cervical cells. These include:
Vaginal Cancer After PeriodHaving a very aggressive HPV type, particularly HPV 16 or HPV 18. If you have either of these HPV types, make sure you receive diagnostic testing with a colposcopy.
Having a weakened immune system. If you have HIV or are taking medicines that suppress your immune system, talk to your health care provider about diagnostic testing and follow-up.
Clinical trials are an important step in learning about better ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat diseases, such as cancers caused by HPV. NCI’s Cancer Information Service can help you learn about HPV-related trials in the United States.
The National Cancer Institute is conducting and funding research to learn more about HPV:
The Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics (DCEG) conducts research into cervical and other HPV-related cancers to advance our understanding of how HPV causes cancer, evaluates screening practices to determine the most effective methods to detect precancerous changes early, develops and tests new approaches to screening that may be easier to use in low-resource settings, and refines tools for risk assessment in the clinic to help health care providers follow up on abnormal screening test results. Investigators in DCEG conducted the first population-based clinical trial of HPV vaccines.
The Division of Cancer Prevention (DCP) conducts and fosters the development of research on the prevention and early detection of human papillomavirus (HPV)-related cancers and related conditions.
The Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences (DCCPS) supports research-tested intervention programs related to HPV and the investigation of implementation strategies to promote the HPV vaccine in regions with low HPV vaccine rates.
The Center for Cancer Research (CCR) is home to scientists and clinicians who are exploring the cutting-edge of cancer-related research. CCR scientists work on a wide spectrum of biological and biomedical problems, including HPV. Investigators in CCR conducted the research that led to the initial development and characterization of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines.
There are currently no screening tests for detecting vaginal cancer in asymptomatic women. Women who have precancerous areas of vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VAIN) or early-stage vaginal cancer often experience no symptoms that would otherwise indicate a need for medical attention. There are, however, some general medical tests that can detect VAIN and other abnormalities that could indicate the need for further diagnostic testing. Being aware of warning signs and keeping up with well-woman recommendations can help catch cancer in early stages when there are more treatment options available.
An annual Pap test for women under age 65 (a Pap smear cannot detect vaginal cancer, but can detect cervical cancer and cervical precancerous conditions, which are often precursors to vaginal cancer)
An annual human papilloma virus (HPV) test for women over age 30 (HPV can increase a woman’s risk of developing vaginal cancer)
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