Section B: Malignant manifestations of HPV infection Carcinoma of the cervix, vulva, vagina, anus, and penis

Abstract

Cervical cancer remains the commonest cancer among women in developing countries, affecting women at their peak of social and economic responsibility. In poor countries where access to diagnosis and treatment is extremely limited, most of the affected women present with late-stage disease. Many do not even have access to palliative care. Outcome in women treated for cervical cancer is strongly influenced by the stage of diagnosis. The main treatment modalities remain surgical removal for early-stage disease and chemoradiation for late-stage disease. Cancers of the vulva, vagina, penis, and anus are much less common than cervical cancer although, in most cases, they also are associated with human papillomavirus infection. Diagnosis and chief treatment modalities for cervical and these less common cancers are discussed. © 2006 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics.