Canada
A 24-year-old female asked:
If hpv is dormant in cervix, is it also dormant in mouth and anus squamous regions? diagnosed with hpv march this year. don't know much about it.
2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. James Fergusonanswered
Pediatrics 47 years experience
Could be: Cancer at the base of the tongue, anus and cervix are all possible outcomes to HPV infection from relevant strains. You may or may not ever know if you have these in a given location.
2.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
1 comment
Dr. Hunter Handsfield commented
Infectious Disease 54 years experience
Still, although although pharyngeal and anal cancers due to HPV are rising in frequency, both remain very rare (except for anal cancer in gay men who participate in receptive anal sex).
Jun 5, 2015
Dr. Hunter Handsfieldanswered
Infectious Disease 54 years experience
Very complex issues: Most women with cervical HPV have it only there. Anal HPV is most common in the receptive partners in anal sex; these probably are the only ones at substantial risk of anal cancer. Oral HPV is one fifth as frequent as genital. Both sites apparently can be infected indirectly, without direct sexual exposure. At any site, immunity clears most infections, but HPV DNA may persist ("dormant").
2.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Dr. Hunter Handsfield commented
Infectious Disease 54 years experience
Provided original answer
It's a wise and sophisticated question, but a sophisticated reply isn't possible under HealthTap's word/character limits. Do some online searching. Good starting places are CDC (www.cdc.gov/std) and the American Sexual Health Association (www.ashastd.org). But bottom line is that with proper follow-up of cervical HPV or dysplasia, the chance of any cancer in your future is extremely low. Good luck
Jun 5, 2015
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