Infection of the skin mucous membranes with HPV is associated with an increased risk of which cancers?

• A. Lung cancer
• B. Oropharyngeal, laryngeal, anal, penile, and cervical cancers
• C. Colorectal cancer
• D. Breast cancer

Answer: (B)

HPV infection of mucosal surfaces increases risk for several cancers that arise from squamous epithelium in the anogenital and oropharyngeal regions. High‑risk HPV types, especially 16 and 18, can persist in the epithelium and produce oncoproteins E6 and E7 that disable tumor suppressors like p53 and Rb, driving cellular transformation. When infection persists, it can progress from precancerous changes to invasive cancer in sites such as the cervix, anus, penis, and parts of the oropharynx (including the tonsils and base of the tongue) and some laryngeal cancers. Lung, colorectal, and breast cancers are not primarily linked to HPV infection, making them less associated with HPV-driven carcinogenesis. Vaccination against high‑risk HPV types helps reduce these cancer risks, and cervical cancer screening detects precancerous lesions early.