[Epidemiological and clinical impact of the HPV-related tumors in both sexes]

Abstract

Infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) is very common and is acquired by at least 80% of women in their lifetime. A variable percentage of infections, particularly those supported by high risk types, becomes persistent, triggering a process that can progress to the development of cervical cancer, at least in a proportion of cases. The epidemiologic evidence accumulated over the years indicates the high impact of oncogenic HPV on the world's population, particularly women, and supports the need for preventive intervention. The preventive approach was initially based on screening and has led to important results. In fact, secondary prevention based on screening has reduced cervical cancer mortality by over 80% in many industrialized countries. The availability of HPV vaccines with high efficacy and safety has provided an innovative preventive option that requires to be integrated with secondary prevention already implemented. In this context, based on current scientific evidence, the present monograph has as its aims: 1) the assessment of HPV spread in the world and in Italy; 2) the analysis of the epidemiological and clinical burden of HPV-related diseases in both sexes; and 3) the evaluation of primary and secondary prevention strategies against HPV-related diseases and in particular against uterine cervical cancer.