Burden and trends of type-specific human papillomavirus infections and related diseases in the Asia Pacific region.

We present the burden of human papillomavirus (HPV)-related cancers (cancers of the cervix, anogenital areas, and oral cavity and pharynx) in terms of incidence and mortality, for the countries of the Asia Pacific region. The region contains more than half of the world population, and manifests a wide geographic diversity in the prevalence of infection with HPV, and of incidence (and mortality) rates of cancer of the cervix. In general, rates of cancer of the cervix have declined since the 1960's; 67% of cases are associated with HPV-16 and 18. The incidence of other anogenital cancers is low, especially in Asian populations; however, cancers of the mouth and pharynx show a wide range of rates, determined by exposures such as oral tobacco and alcohol and for cancer of the lip, ultraviolet radiation. We also present the estimates of the occurence of genital warts--largely caused by HPV 6 and 11--and the HPV type distribution in the spectrum of women with normal cytology, cervical lesions, and cervical cancer in the region.