Affiliations: Department of Medicine, University of California, San
Francisco, CA 94143, USA
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Joel Palefsky, M.D., 505 Parnassus
Ave Room M1203, Box 0126, Department of Medicine, University of California, San
Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA. Tel.: +1 415 476 1574; Fax: +1 415 476
0986; E-mail: joel.palefsky@ucsf.edu
Abstract: While much is known about the natural history of cervical human
papillomavirus (HPV) infection and its consequences, including cervical
intraepithelial neoplasia and cervical cancer, relatively little is known about
the natural history of anogenital HPV infection and diseases in men. In part
this reflects difficulties in penile sampling and visual assessment of penile
lesions. Anal HPV infection and disease also remain poorly understood. Although
HPV is transmitted sexually and infects the genitals of both sexes, the cervix
remains biologically more vulnerable to malignant transformation than does the
penis or anus in men. An understanding of male HPV infection is therefore
important in terms of reducing transmission of HPV to women and improving
women's health. However, it is also important due to the burden of disease in
men, who may develop both penile and anal cancer, particularly among
HIV-positive men who have sex with men. Improved sampling techniques of the
male genitalia and cohort studies in progress should provide important
information on the natural history of anogenital HPV infection and disease in
men, including risk factors for HPV acquisition and transmission. The impact of
HPV vaccination in women on male anogenital HPV infection will also need to be
assessed.
