Female Reproductive System Lecture

Question 1

What are the main cancer types driven by HPV?

Answer 1

Anal (~90%), Cervical (~90%), Oropharyngeal (70%), Penile (63%), Vaginal (75%), Vulvar (69%)

Question 2

What are the different types of HPV based on risk?

Answer 2

Low-risk: 6, 11 → warts; High-risk: 16, 18, 31, 33, etc. → cancers; 16 & 18 most oncogenic

Question 3

What is the primary histological type of most HPV-driven cancers?

Answer 3

Squamous cell carcinoma (~80%) ; cervical cancer can also be adenocarcinoma (~20%).

Question 4

Explain the key mechanism by which high-risk HPV types promote cancer development.

Answer 4

Integration into host genome → E6 & E7 oncoproteins → inactivate P53 and RB → uncontrolled cell proliferation and genomic instability.

Question 5

How has screening impacted the incidence and mortality of cervical cancer in Australia?

Answer 5

Significant decline since 1991 due to early detection and treatment of precancerous lesions via Pap smears and HPV testing.

Question 6

What is the primary strategy for preventing HPV-driven cancers?

Answer 6

HPV vaccination (e.g., Gardasil) before exposure, combined with screening programs, is key to prevention and potential eradication.