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Viruses Jun 2023Human papillomavirus (HPV) is causally associated with 5% of cancers, including cancers of the cervix, penis, vulva, vagina, anus and oropharynx. The most carcinogenic... (Review)
Review
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is causally associated with 5% of cancers, including cancers of the cervix, penis, vulva, vagina, anus and oropharynx. The most carcinogenic HPV is HPV-16, which dominates the types causing cancer. There is also sufficient evidence that HPV types 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58 and 59 cause cervical cancer. The L1 protein, which, when assembled into virus-like particles, induces HPV-type-specific neutralising antibodies, forms the basis of all commercial HPV vaccines. There are six licensed prophylactic HPV vaccines: three bivalent, two quadrivalent and one nonavalent vaccine. The bivalent vaccines protect from HPV types 16 and 18, which are associated with more than 70% of cervical cancers. Prophylactic vaccination targets children before sexual debut, but there are now catch-up campaigns, which have also been shown to be beneficial in reducing HPV infection and disease. HPV vaccination of adults after treatment for cervical lesions or recurrent respiratory papillomatosis has impacted recurrence. Gender-neutral vaccination will improve herd immunity and prevent infection in men and women. HPV vaccines are immunogenic in people living with HIV, but more research is needed on the long-term impact of vaccination and to determine whether further boosters are required.
Topics: Adult; Male; Child; Humans; Female; Human Papillomavirus Viruses; Papillomavirus Infections; Vaccinology; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms; Papillomavirus Vaccines; Human papillomavirus 16; Vaccines, Combined
PubMed: 37515128
DOI: 10.3390/v15071440 -
Mycoses Jun 2021Approximately 70-75% of women will have vulvovaginal candidosis (VVC) at least once in their lifetime. In premenopausal, pregnant, asymptomatic and healthy women and... (Review)
Review
Approximately 70-75% of women will have vulvovaginal candidosis (VVC) at least once in their lifetime. In premenopausal, pregnant, asymptomatic and healthy women and women with acute VVC, Candida albicans is the predominant species. The diagnosis of VVC should be based on clinical symptoms and microscopic detection of pseudohyphae. Symptoms alone do not allow reliable differentiation of the causes of vaginitis. In recurrent or complicated cases, diagnostics should involve fungal culture with species identification. Serological determination of antibody titres has no role in VVC. Before the induction of therapy, VVC should always be medically confirmed. Acute VVC can be treated with local imidazoles, polyenes or ciclopirox olamine, using vaginal tablets, ovules or creams. Triazoles can also be prescribed orally, together with antifungal creams, for the treatment of the vulva. Commonly available antimycotics are generally well tolerated, and the different regimens show similarly good results. Antiseptics are potentially effective but act against the physiological vaginal flora. Neither a woman with asymptomatic colonisation nor an asymptomatic sexual partner should be treated. Women with chronic recurrent Candida albicans vulvovaginitis should undergo dose-reducing maintenance therapy with oral triazoles. Unnecessary antimycotic therapies should always be avoided, and non-albicans vaginitis should be treated with alternative antifungal agents. In the last 6 weeks of pregnancy, women should receive antifungal treatment to reduce the risk of vertical transmission, oral thrush and diaper dermatitis of the newborn. Local treatment is preferred during pregnancy.
Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Antifungal Agents; Candida albicans; Candida glabrata; Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal; Causality; Ciclopirox; Contraceptive Agents; Diabetes Mellitus; Female; Hormones; Humans; Hyphae; Imidazoles; Infant, Newborn; Polyenes; Pregnancy; Vaginitis
PubMed: 33529414
DOI: 10.1111/myc.13248 -
Deutsches Arzteblatt International Feb 2020In Germany, 17-23% of the population suffers from chronic itching of the skin; in 5-10% of cases, the female genitalia are affected, specifically, the vulva. Vulvar... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
In Germany, 17-23% of the population suffers from chronic itching of the skin; in 5-10% of cases, the female genitalia are affected, specifically, the vulva. Vulvar pruritus is thus a common symptom that often markedly impairs the affected women's quality of life.
METHODS
This review is based on pertinent publications that were retrieved by a selective search in MEDLINE/PubMed for articles on the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of vul- var pruritus. The search terms were (in German and English) "vulvärer Juckreiz," "pruritus vulvae," and "genital itch," alone and in combination with "Behandlung," "Therapie," or "treat- ment."
RESULTS
The most common cause of vulvar pruritus is vulvo- vaginal candidiasis followed by chronic dermatoses, such as lichen sclerosus and vulvar eczema. Especially in refractory cases, an invasive or preinvasive lesion such as squamous epithelial dysplasia (VIN, vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia) should be borne in mind in the differential diagnosis. Rarer causes include infection, atrophy, and vulvodynia. The essen- tial elements of treatment are topical/oral antimycotic drugs and high-potency glucocorticoids, along with consistently ap- plied, basic moisturizing care and the avoidance of potential triggering factors.
CONCLUSION
As vulvar pruritus has multiple causes, standard- ization of its diagnostic evaluation and treatment would be l efficacy and to meet the diverse needs of women who suffer from this condition.
Topics: Female; Germany; Humans; Pruritus Vulvae
PubMed: 32181734
DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.2020.0126 -
American Family Physician Jun 2019The Bartholin glands, located in the base of the labia minora, have a role in vaginal lubrication. Because of the presence of other glands, removal of a Bartholin gland...
The Bartholin glands, located in the base of the labia minora, have a role in vaginal lubrication. Because of the presence of other glands, removal of a Bartholin gland does not affect lubrication. Ductal blockage of these typically pea-sized structures can result in enlargement of the gland and subsequent development of Bartholin duct cysts or gland abscesses. Two percent of women will develop a cyst or an abscess in their lifetime, and physicians should be familiar with the range of treatment options. Bartholin duct cysts and gland abscesses can be treated in the office. The healing and recurrence rates are similar among fistulization, marsupialization, and silver nitrate and alcohol sclerotherapy. Needle aspiration and incision and drainage, the two simplest procedures, are not recommended because of the relatively increased recurrence rate.
Topics: Abscess; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Ambulatory Surgical Procedures; Bartholin's Glands; Cysts; Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Practice Guidelines as Topic
PubMed: 31194482
DOI: No ID Found -
Medical Sciences (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2023Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a group of malignancies, involving the oral cavity, pharynx, hypopharynx, larynx, nasal cavity, and salivary glands,... (Review)
Review
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a group of malignancies, involving the oral cavity, pharynx, hypopharynx, larynx, nasal cavity, and salivary glands, that together compose the seventh most common cancer diagnosis worldwide. With 890,000 new cases and 450,000 deaths annually per GLOBOCAN estimates, HNSCC accounts for roughly 4.5% of cancer diagnoses and deaths. In the developing world, the incidence of HNSCC is growing with increasing consumption of tobacco (smoked or chewed), alcohol, and areca nut (betel quid). Alcohol and tobacco have a synergistic effect, with the heavy consumption of both increasing HNSCC risk 40-fold. In developed nations, HPV-related HNSCC surpasses tobacco- and alcohol-related disease. HPV-related HNSCC more commonly affects the oropharynx, hypopharynx, and larynx than the oral cavity, and is associated with a significantly longer median survival (130 months vs. 20 months). Discrepancies in etiology as well as disparities in lifestyle choices and access to healthcare may account for the greater incidence and poorer survival of HNSCC among minority and lower-socioeconomic-status communities in developed nations. Pharmacotherapy and counseling together have been shown to be effective in promoting smoking and alcohol cessation. Education on cancer risk and community engagement have reduced areca nut consumption in Asia as well as in diaspora communities. HPV vaccination, starting at age 11-12 for both sexes, has been shown to reduce the prevalence of high-risk HPV serologies and prevent pre-cancerous lesions of the cervix, vagina, and vulva. As of 2020, 58.6% of eligible adolescents in the US have received the full two-vaccine series. Increased adoption of vaccination, education on safe sex practices, and routine visual oral screening for high-risk patients would curb growing HNSCC incidence in developed nations.
Topics: Male; Female; Humans; Adolescent; Child; Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Head and Neck Neoplasms; Papillomavirus Infections; Risk Factors
PubMed: 37367741
DOI: 10.3390/medsci11020042 -
International Journal of Gynecological... Apr 2023The European Society of Gynaecological Oncology (ESGO), the International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease (ISSVD), the European College for the Study of... (Review)
Review
The European Society of Gynaecological Oncology (ESGO), the International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease (ISSVD), the European College for the Study of Vulval Disease (ECSVD), and the European Federation for Colposcopy (EFC) consensus statement on the management of vaginal...
The European Society of Gynaecological Oncology (ESGO), the International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease (ISSVD), the European College for the Study of Vulval Disease (ECSVD), and the European Federation for Colposcopy (EFC) developed consensus statements on pre-invasive vulvar lesions in order to improve the quality of care for patients with vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VaIN). The management of VaIN varies according to the grade of the lesion: VaIN 1 (low grade vaginal squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL)) can be subjected to follow-up, while VaIN 2-3 (high-grade vaginal SIL) should be treated. Treatment needs individualization according to the patient's characteristics, disease extension and previous therapeutic procedures. Surgical excision is the mainstay of treatment and should be performed if invasion cannot be excluded. Total vaginectomy is used only in highly selected cases of extensive and persistent disease. Carbon dioxide (CO) laser may be used as both an ablation method and an excisional one. Reported cure rates after laser excision and laser ablation are similar. Topical agents are useful for persistent, multifocal lesions or for patients who cannot undergo surgical treatment. Imiquimod was associated with the lowest recurrence rate, highest human papillomavirus (HPV) clearance, and can be considered the best topical approach. Trichloroacetic acid and 5-fluorouracil are historical options and should be discouraged. For VaIN after hysterectomy for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 3, laser vaporization and topical agents are not the best options, since they cannot reach epithelium buried in the vaginal scar. In these cases surgical options are preferable. Brachytherapy has a high overall success rate but due to late side effects should be reserved for poor surgical candidates, having multifocal disease, and with failed prior treatments. VaIN tends to recur and ensuring patient adherence to close follow-up visits is of the utmost importance. The first evaluation should be performed at 6 months with cytology and an HPV test during 2 years and annually thereafter. The implementation of vaccination against HPV infection is expected to contribute to the prevention of VaIN and thus cancer of the vagina. The effects of treatment can have an impact on quality of life and result in psychological and psychosexual issues which should be addressed. Patients with VaIN need clear and up-to-date information on a range of treatment options including risks and benefits, as well as the need for follow-up and the risk of recurrence.
Topics: Female; Pregnancy; Humans; Colposcopy; Papillomavirus Infections; Quality of Life; Vaginal Neoplasms; Imiquimod; Uterine Cervical Dysplasia; Carcinoma in Situ; Retrospective Studies; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms
PubMed: 36958755
DOI: 10.1136/ijgc-2022-004213 -
Human Reproduction Update Jan 2023Reproductive tract infection is an important factor leading to male and female infertility. Among female infertility factors, microbial and viral infections are the main... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Reproductive tract infection is an important factor leading to male and female infertility. Among female infertility factors, microbial and viral infections are the main factors affecting female reproductive health and causing tubal infertility, ectopic tubal pregnancy and premature delivery. Among male infertility factors, 13-15% of male infertility is related to infection. Defensins are cationic antibacterial and antiviral peptides, classified into α-defensins, β-defensins and θ-defensins. Humans only have α-defensins and β-defensins. Apart from their direct antimicrobial functions, defensins have an immunomodulatory function and are involved in many physiological processes. Studies have shown that defensins are widely distributed in the female reproductive tract (FRT) and male reproductive tract (MRT), playing a dual role of host defence and fertility protection. However, to our knowledge, the distribution, regulation and function of defensins in the reproductive tract and their relation to reproduction have not been reviewed.
OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE
This review summarizes the expression, distribution and regulation of defensins in the reproductive tracts to reveal the updated research on the dual role of defensins in host defence and the protection of fertility.
SEARCH METHODS
A systematic search was conducted in PubMed using the related keywords through April 2022. Related data from original researches and reviews were integrated to comprehensively review the current findings and understanding of defensins in the human reproductive system. Meanwhile, female and male transcriptome data in the GEO database were screened to analyze defensins in the human reproductive tracts.
OUTCOMES
Two transcriptome databases from the GEO database (GSE7307 and GSE150852) combined with existing researches reveal the expression levels and role of the defensins in the reproductive tracts. In the FRT, a high expression level of α-defensin is found, and the expression levels of defensins in the vulva and vagina are higher than those in other organs. The expression of defensins in the endometrium varies with menstrual cycle stages and with microbial invasion. Defensins also participate in the local immune response to regulate the risk of spontaneous preterm birth. In the MRT, a high expression level of β-defensins is also found. It is mainly highly expressed in the epididymal caput and corpus, indicating that defensins play an important role in sperm maturation. The expression of defensins in the MRT varies with androgen levels, age and the status of microbial invasion. They protect the male reproductive system from bacterial infections by neutralizing lipopolysaccharide and downregulating pro-inflammatory cytokines. In addition, animal and clinical studies have shown that defensins play an important role in sperm maturation, motility and fertilization.
WIDER IMPLICATIONS
As a broad-spectrum antimicrobial peptide without drug resistance, defensin has great potential for developing new natural antimicrobial treatments for reproductive tract infections. However, increasing evidence has shown that defensins can not only inhibit microbial invasion but can also promote the invasion and adhesion of some microorganisms in certain biological environments, such as human immunodeficiency virus. Therefore, the safety of defensins as reproductive tract anti-infective drugs needs more in-depth research. In addition, the modulatory role of defensins in fertility requires more in-depth research since the current conclusions are based on small-size samples. At present, scientists have made many attempts at the clinical transformation of defensins. However, defensins have problems such as poor stability, low bioavailability and difficulties in their synthesis. Therefore, the production of safe, effective and low-cost drugs remains a challenge.
Topics: Infant, Newborn; Pregnancy; Animals; Humans; Male; Female; beta-Defensins; alpha-Defensins; Reproductive Health; Infertility, Female; Semen; Premature Birth; Defensins; Infertility, Male; Anti-Infective Agents
PubMed: 36130055
DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmac032 -
Modern Pathology : An Official Journal... Oct 2022Vulvar squamous cell carcinomas and their precursors are currently classified by the World Health Organization based on their association with high-risk human... (Review)
Review
HPV-independent, p53-wild-type vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia: a review of nomenclature and the journey to characterize verruciform and acanthotic precursor lesions of the vulva.
Vulvar squamous cell carcinomas and their precursors are currently classified by the World Health Organization based on their association with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV independent lesions often harbor driver alterations in TP53, usually seen in the setting of chronic vulvar inflammation. However, a group of pre-invasive vulvar squamous lesions is independent from both HPV and mutant TP53. The lesions described within this category feature marked acanthosis, verruciform growth and altered squamous maturation, and over the last two decades several studies have added to their characterization. They have a documented association with verrucous carcinoma and conventional squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva, suggesting a precursor role. They also harbor recurrent genomic alterations in several oncogenes, mainly PIK3CA and HRAS, indicating a neoplastic nature. In this review, we provide a historical perspective and a comprehensive description of these lesions. We also offer an appraisal of the terminology used over the years, going from Vulvar Acanthosis with Altered Differentiation and Verruciform Lichen Simplex Chronicus to Differentiated Exophytic Vulvar Intraepithelial Lesion and Vulvar Aberrant Maturation, the latter term having been recently proposed by the International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Diseases. In line with the recognition of these lesions by the 2020 World Health Organization Classification of Tumours as a neoplastic precursor, we herein propose the term HPV-independent, p53-wild-type verruciform acanthotic Vulvar Intraepithelial Neoplasia (HPVi(p53wt) vaVIN), which better conveys not only the pathology but also the neoplastic nature and the biologic risk inherent to these uncommon and challenging lesions. We outline strict morphologic and immunohistochemical criteria for its diagnosis and distinction from mimickers. Immunohistochemistry for p16 and p53 should be performed routinely in the diagnostic work-up of these lesions, and the morphologic alternative term vaVIN should be reserved for instances in which p16/HPV/p53 status is unknown. We also discuss management considerations and the need to further explore precursors within and beyond the spectrum of verruciform acanthotic vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia.
Topics: Biological Products; Carcinoma in Situ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Class I Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; Female; Humans; Papillomaviridae; Papillomavirus Infections; Precancerous Conditions; Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; Vulva; Vulvar Neoplasms
PubMed: 35437330
DOI: 10.1038/s41379-022-01079-7 -
International Journal of Cancer Aug 2017HPV is the cause of almost all cervical cancer and is responsible for a substantial fraction of other anogenital cancers and oropharyngeal cancers. Understanding the...
HPV is the cause of almost all cervical cancer and is responsible for a substantial fraction of other anogenital cancers and oropharyngeal cancers. Understanding the HPV-attributable cancer burden can boost programs of HPV vaccination and HPV-based cervical screening. Attributable fractions (AFs) and the relative contributions of different HPV types were derived from published studies reporting on the prevalence of transforming HPV infection in cancer tissue. Maps of age-standardized incidence rates of HPV-attributable cancers by country from GLOBOCAN 2012 data are shown separately for the cervix, other anogenital tract and head and neck cancers. The relative contribution of HPV16/18 and HPV6/11/16/18/31/33/45/52/58 was also estimated. 4.5% of all cancers worldwide (630,000 new cancer cases per year) are attributable to HPV: 8.6% in women and 0.8% in men. AF in women ranges from <3% in Australia/New Zealand and the USA to >20% in India and sub-Saharan Africa. Cervix accounts for 83% of HPV-attributable cancer, two-thirds of which occur in less developed countries. Other HPV-attributable anogenital cancer includes 8,500 vulva; 12,000 vagina; 35,000 anus (half occurring in men) and 13,000 penis. In the head and neck, HPV-attributable cancers represent 38,000 cases of which 21,000 are oropharyngeal cancers occurring in more developed countries. The relative contributions of HPV16/18 and HPV6/11/16/18/31/33/45/52/58 are 73% and 90%, respectively. Universal access to vaccination is the key to avoiding most cases of HPV-attributable cancer. The preponderant burden of HPV16/18 and the possibility of cross-protection emphasize the importance of the introduction of more affordable vaccines in less developed countries.
Topics: Africa South of the Sahara; Anus Neoplasms; Australia; Female; Human papillomavirus 16; Human papillomavirus 18; Humans; India; Male; New Zealand; Oropharyngeal Neoplasms; Papillomavirus Infections; Penile Neoplasms; Prevalence; Sex Characteristics; United States; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms
PubMed: 28369882
DOI: 10.1002/ijc.30716