Almost everyone becomes infected with human papilloma viruses, or HPV for short, in the course of their life. Most of them are harmless. But HPV types 16 and 18 in particular are considered dangerous. Because in addition to the female risk group, more and more men are affected. We asked an expert which diseases could threaten.
The most commonly proven, by HPV The cancer that causes it is cervical cancer. But men also get sick: In addition to the female genital organs, the viruses can also affect the penis and anus, where they can also cause cancer. The mouth, throat, and larynx are also affected areas. There are about twelve of these so-called high-risk pathogens where the risk of cell degeneration is particularly high. Mainly HPV 16 and 18.
Almost all adults become infected with HPV
“Most adults come into contact with HPV during their lifetime. It affects women as well as men,” says Dr. Susanne Weg-Remers, Head of the Cancer Information Service (KID) at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ). “And the HPVinfectionen continue to increase in men too. “
The reason are changes in sexual behavior. The number of changing sexual partners is steadily increasing. When asked whether HPV infections are becoming a new disease, the cancer expert replied: “It depends on how you define the disease. If you set the frequency of the infection in focus, one can answer the question with a resounding yes. If you look at the frequency with which people get it, probably not. “
An infection alone does not make cancer
Weg-Remers emphasizes that a strict distinction must be made between the infection and a disease resulting from it. In most cases, the immune system is strong enough to successfully suppress the virus. Then the infection heals without symptoms – even if the infection was triggered by cancer-promoting viruses. The infection persists in a small proportion of those affected. Then there is a risk of cancer and genital warts.
“Depending on which study is used, the proportion of men who are currently carrying HPV varies from 1.3 to 65 percent, depending on the respective sample,” explains Weg-Remers. “The greater the number of sexual partners, the higher the risk of an infection and thus of an illness.” And: Even if the immune system has been able to successfully fight the HP virus, you can re-infect yourself at any time – again with the risk that the infection does not heal completely and then in some cases can lead to cancer.
Take changes in the genital area seriously
Every year around 500 German men develop penile cancer – the majority of the diseases are triggered by the high-risk viruses 16 and 18. The incidence rate for anal tumors is similar. The risk of developing genital warts, however, is significantly higher: around 40 types of HPV primarily affect the genital organs and anus. HPV 6 and 11 in particular are responsible for the warts.
HP viruses can linger a lifetime
Women and men are equally affected by the highly contagious, benign genital warts. “It is estimated that two in 100 people between the ages of 15 and 49 have genital warts,” Weg-Remers explains. Some of the warts increase in size and number over the years. The other part is healing. But even after the genital warts have healed, the HP viruses can remain at the infection site for a lifetime. Although they usually do not cause new symptoms, they can be passed on to other sexual partners.
“If men and women discover changes in their intimate areas such as a different skin texture, nodules or itching, they should consult a doctor as soon as possible,” the expert advises. Men who have frequent sex with new acquaintances are particularly at risk of contracting the virus. Once they carry the virus in, they pass it on to their sexual contacts.
HPV infection cannot be fought
Most do not know that the virus is in their body because the infection itself does not cause symptoms. But even if an infection is found in the course of an investigation, nothing can be done: “The viruses cannot be treated,” says Weg-Remers. “Only the precancerous stages, the cancer itself or the genital warts can be treated. But there is research in this direction.”
Experts discuss vaccination for boys
The HPV vaccination can offer preventive protection, but it should be injected if possible before the first sexual intercourse, i.e. before the first contact with the virus. So far, the vaccination is mainly intended for young women. The health insurance companies cover the costs.
The question of whether young men should also be vaccinated is hotly debated among experts. “In the federal state of Saxony there is already a vaccination recommendation for boys before sexual maturity. The idea behind this is that vaccinated boys are on the one hand protected themselves and on the other hand can no longer pass the viruses on to their partners,” explains Weg-Remers.
And how does she feel about it herself? “In my personal opinion, vaccinating boys is an important measure against the spread of HPV. Young men in particular are very sexually active. If girls and boys were protected, the spread of human papilloma viruses could be contained.”
Cervical cancer vaccination reduces precancerous lesions
So far, with the exception of Saxony, vaccination costs for boys have not been covered as a rule. “It is best if interested parents ask their responsible health insurance company,” recommends Weg-Remers. However, since the vaccination is still quite new, there are no long-term studies that can prove that the vaccination can really protect against cancer. But: “Since young women have been vaccinated, it has been observed that the number of precancerous stages has decreased,” says the cancer expert.
Vaccination also against genital warts?
And what about a vaccination against genital warts? Since the genital warts are triggered in 90 percent of the cases by the low-risk types HPV 6 and 11, the existing vaccination with the double vaccine Cervarix shows no protective effect, as Weg-Remers knows. “The preventive HPV vaccination with the quadruple vaccine Gardasil, on the other hand, which is effective against HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18, can also protect men and women from the development of genital warts. However, there is no 100 percent guarantee”, explains Weg-Remers. If you have frequently changing sexual partners, only one thing can help to reduce the risk of infection: protect condoms.
– .
