Human papillomavirus infection and the links to penile and cervical cancer.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection has been thoroughly demonstrated as a major factor in the pathogenesis of cervical cancer, but HPV's role in penile cancer has not been demonstrated as convincingly. The author reviews several major investigations from the past 35 years and finds that men with certain risk factors (eg, intact foreskin, history of sexual encounters outside marriage, and history of first intercourse at a younger age) place their current female sex partners at greater risk for cervical carcinoma caused by transmission of HPV infection. A brief description of HPV prevention and treatment options is also provided.