High And Low Risk - Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Message Board

jaspa21 · 02-26-2009, 10:05 PM

What is the difference between High and Low risk?

LilyL21 · 02-27-2009, 01:26 PM

There are 4 types of HPV that cause most HPV-related cancers. They are considered high risk.

Low risk is all the other types which are unlikely to cause cancer.

Pickle Eyes · 02-27-2009, 10:50 PM

Low risk HPV cause genital warts. High risk HPV can cause dysplasia (or cancer) (of the vulva, vagina, cervix, penis, anus, rectum, mouth/throat). There are over 100 strains of HPV. Of those, more than 30 strains affect the genitals (the organs I mentioned in the previous sentence). Of those 30, there are high risk and low risk. I just checked the National Cancer Institute's website and they list 15 strains of identified high risk HPV. [The article was last reviewed on 2/14/09] so I assume it is quite up to date. Seventy percent of cervical cancer is caused by 2 of those 15 strains of high risk HPV.

High risk HPV do not cause warts. Low risk HPV does not (as far as what I've read so far) ever lead to cancer.

Drafly · 02-28-2009, 11:26 AM

Pickle is correct. Many people get this number 4 from the Guardasil commercial because the vaccine protects against 4 HPV strains, two low risk 6 and 11 and two high risk 16 and 18. 16 and 18 have been found to be responsible for 70% of cervical cancers however there are many many more than just 4 high risk strains 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, and 68 to name a few. Low risk HPV types can still cause cervical cell changes (dysplasia) but do not progress beyond CIN1. All HPV types can be found anywhere in the genital tract including vagina, vulva, labia, anus, and rectum as well as cervix which is the one most people are familiar with.