Does HPV cause cancer?

The testicles

The testicles are two small, oval-shaped organs located below the penis, enclosed in a skin pouch called the scrotum.

Image of the testicles (cruk)

Starting from puberty, the testicles begin producing sperm. Inside the testicle, small tubes come together to form the epididymis, a single tube that becomes wider as it exits the testicle. This wider tube is known as the spermatic cord.

The spermatic cord leads to a short passage called the ejaculatory duct, which opens into the urethra, the tube that carries urine and semen out of the body through the penis.

Testosterone:

The testicles produce the hormone testosterone, which is responsible for developing male characteristics such as:

A deeper voice
Facial hair growth
Increased muscle mass
The ability to achieve an erection
Male sexual drive (libido)

Where does testicular cancer start:

The testicles consist of various cell types, and the kind of cancer you have depends on the specific cell where it begins.

Most testicular cancers arise from germ cells, which are responsible for producing sperm. Doctors classify germ cell cancers into two main types:

Seminoma
Non-seminoma

Testicular cancer and the lymph nodes:

Lymph nodes are a part of the lymphatic system that spans the entire body. They, along with lymph vessels, contain a yellow fluid known as lymph. This fluid circulates through the lymphatic system, collecting waste products and draining into veins for waste removal.

Cancer can spread to lymph nodes, causing them to enlarge. In testicular cancer, it’s common for the disease to spread to lymph nodes located at the back of the abdomen, known as retroperitoneal lymph nodes.

These retroperitoneal lymph nodes are situated behind the intestines and in front of the spine. They lie next to the main blood vessels in the abdomen, the aorta, and the inferior vena cava.

Image of the lymph nodes with testicles

Who gets it:

Younger men are more likely to get testicular cancer.

Trans women can also develop testicular cancer if they haven’t had an operation to remove their testicles (orchidectomy).

Men in their early 30s are the most likely to get it. It then becomes less common as men get older.

Some types of HPV can raise the risk of cancer
HPV infections are very common, but most people don’t experience any issues.
The HPV vaccine helps protect against the virus and reduces the risk of cancer.

What is HPV?

HPV (human papillomavirus) is a common virus that infects the skin and the lining of areas like the mouth, throat, and genitals. Most HPV infections cause no symptoms and go away on their own without people even knowing they had it.

HPV spreads mainly through close skin-to-skin contact, typically during sexual activities like vaginal, anal, or oral sex.

How common is HPV?

HPV is a very common virus that can infect people of all genders. About 8 out of 10 people are likely to get HPV at some point in their lives. The risk of getting HPV increases with the number of sexual partners a person has.

Are there different types of HPV?

There are many types of HPV, with some classified as “low-risk.” These types can cause issues like genital warts or warts on the hands and feet.

Around 14 types are considered “high-risk” because they can increase the chance of developing certain cancers. Long-term infection with high-risk HPV raises this likelihood.

However, most HPV infections go away on their own without causing symptoms or problems. Even having high-risk HPV does not mean someone will definitely develop cancer.

This information focuses on high-risk HPV types, as they are linked to cancer.

Which cancer does HPV cause?

HPV is the main cause of cervical cancer, with nearly all cases linked to it. HPV can also increase the risk of cancers in the head and neck, like throat (oropharyngeal) and mouth cancers, with about 70% of these cases connected to the virus.

Additionally, HPV is responsible for most cancers of the vagina, vulva, penis, and anus, though these types of cancers are less common.

Can I Catch Cancer:

No, cancer cannot be spread from one person to another; it is not contagious. However, HPV, a virus that increases the risk of some cancers, can be transmitted through close contact, typically during sexual activity.

How can HPV cause cancer:

Most of the time, the body clears HPV without causing any harm. However, some high-risk types of HPV can lead to cancer if they persist in the body for a long time.

When this happens, the virus can alter the DNA inside cells, causing them to behave abnormally. Over time, these cells can grow uncontrollably, which may result in cancer. This process usually takes many years.

Reducing the risk of cancers caused by HPV:

This vaccination is a key step in preventing certain cancers linked to HPV, including cervical, throat, and anal cancers.

Stopping smoking reduces the risk of HPV

Smoking weakens the immune system, making it harder for the body to fight off and clear HPV infections. This increases the risk of HPV persistence, which can lead to cancer, particularly cervical cancer. Quitting smoking can reduce this risk and support the body’s ability to clear HPV.

By not smoking, individuals lower their chances of getting HPV and, consequently, reduce the risk of developing HPV-related cancers.

Practicing safe sex reduces the chances of getting HPV:

Using condoms or dental dams during sexual activity, including oral sex, can reduce the likelihood of getting or passing on HPV. This applies to everyone, regardless of gender or the gender of the partner.

However, because these barriers do not cover the entire genital area, they do not offer complete protection against HPV, but they significantly lower the risk. Practicing safe sex and using protection is an important step in reducing the spread of HPV and related cancers.

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Does HPV cause cancer?