Don’t Underestimate Genital Warts, Genital Warts That Can Be Malignant So Cervical Cancer

JAKARTA – Risky sexual behavior can cause various sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). One of them is genital warts or known as genital warts caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV).

Often appearing without complaint, genital warts are often underestimated. In fact, if not treated immediately, genital warts can be transformed into a malignant disease, one of which is cervical cancer for women.

“About 50 percent of the cases show that genital warts are capable of transforming into a malignant disease, one of which is cervical cancer,” said Dr. Amelia Soebyanto, SpDV, as Skin and Sex Specialist at Pramudia Clinic in a webinar on Wednesday (15/6/2022).

He explained, the types of HPV that most often cause genital warts are type 6 and type 11 which are low risk. The incidence of genital warts due to this type is 90-95 percent of cases. Meanwhile, a small proportion is caused by high-risk HPV types such as types 16, 18, 31, 33, and so on.

The type of HPV that causes genital warts is not the same as the type of HPV that causes cervical cancer. But in some cases, when genital warts occur on the cervix or in the vagina, it can cause cervical changes or dysplasia, which can eventually lead to cervical cancer.

“Even low-risk HPV types, if not treated properly, can cause genital warts to develop complications and also develop into cervical cancer. Especially if there is a history, which makes the risk of cervical cancer even greater,” said Dr Amelia.

Therefore, it is important to regularly check for genital health conditions to the doctor in order to prevent sexually transmitted diseases and malignant diseases such as cancer.

“One of the important things to do is early detection of genital warts. Some of the supporting examinations include acetic acid test, pap smear, pathology, examination with an optical magnification tool (colposcope), and identification of the HPV genome,” he explained.

However, he continued, what needs to be done regularly are clinical examinations, acetic acid tests and pap smears. “The right diagnosis is the first step before giving therapy,” he said.

(tsa)

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