Info
HPV and cancer
Diagnosis
What it means
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection and the main cause of cervical cancer, and it is also involved in other cancers (oropharynx, anus, vulva). The HPV vaccine, ideally given before the start of sexual activity, prevents infection with the high-risk strains.
Related terms
The terms below often appear alongside this one. Each definition is right here, so you do not have to look elsewhere.
- Cervical cancer
- Cancer that starts in the cells of the cervix, caused almost always by persistent infection with high-risk strains of HPV. It is one of the few cancers that can be prevented through vaccination and detected early through the Pap test.
- AFP (alpha-fetoprotein)
- A tumor marker useful especially for liver cancer and certain testicular or ovarian tumors. It is measured in the blood for diagnosis, monitoring treatment and detecting a recurrence.
- ALK-positive
- A gene rearrangement found in a subset of lung cancers, more common in non-smoking or younger patients. ALK-positive tumors often respond very well to specific targeted therapies, different from standard chemotherapy.
Other terms in “Diagnosis”
Glossary definitions are written for patients by the OncoDots team and go through internal medical review. They explain terms; they do not establish a diagnosis and do not recommend a treatment.