HPV and Cancer

February 16, 2026

This page was reviewed under our medical and editorial policy by Ellie Maghami, M.D., chief and professor, Division of Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, City of Hope^® Cancer Center Duarte.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a group of viruses, some of which are known to increase a person’s risk for developing certain types of cancer, most notably cervical cancer in women and throat cancer in men. HPV is believed to cause about 37,000 new cancer diagnoses every year and 5% of all cancers worldwide.

What Is HPV?

HPV is a very common type of viral infection. It is usually passed from one person to another during close sexual contact. There are more than 200 different types of HPV. While most types do not lead to cancer, 12 “high-risk” HPVs increase the risk that someone will develop certain cancer types.

Types of HPV

The two main types of HPV are listed below.

High-risk HPVs: Only 12 types of HPV are linked to an increased risk of cancer. These are called high-risk HPVs. Two of these high-risk HPVs, called HPV16 and HPV18, account for most new HPV-related cancer diagnoses.

Low-risk HPVs: Most other types of the virus are called low-risk HPV, meaning they do not have a close link to cancer. However, low-risk HPVs may cause symptoms unrelated to cancer, such as warts on or around the genitals or in the throat or mouth.

Does HPV Cause Cancer?

Being infected with HPV does not mean that someone will develop cancer. However, if someone is infected with a high-risk type of HPV and the infection does not resolve on its own, this increases the risk for developing certain cancers. The most common cancers caused by HPV infection are cervical cancer in women and throat cancer in men. The virus causes cancer by slowly changing the way that the body’s cells develop.

HPV-Related Cancer in Men

Three types of HPV-related cancers that affect men are listed below.

Anal cancer: Around 89% of anal cancers in men are estimated to be caused by HPV. About 2,500 men are diagnosed with anal cancer each year.

Throat and mouth cancer: Around 72% of throat and mouth (oropharyngeal) cancers in men are estimated to be caused by HPV. About 18,000 men are diagnosed with throat or mouth cancer each year.

Penile cancer: Around 63% of penile cancers are estimated to be caused by HPV. About 1,400 men are diagnosed with penile cancer each year.

HPV-Related Cancer in Women

Five types of HPV-related cancers that affect women are listed below.

Anal cancer: Around 93% of anal cancers in women are estimated to be caused by HPV. About 5,400 women are diagnosed with anal cancer each year.

Cervical cancer: Around 91% of cervical cancers are estimated to be caused by HPV. About 12,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year.

Vaginal cancer: Around 75% of vaginal cancers are estimated to be caused by HPV. About 900 women are diagnosed with vaginal cancer each year.

Vulvar cancer: Around 69% of vulvar cancers are estimated to be caused by HPV. About 4,400 women are diagnosed with vulvar cancer each year.

Throat and mouth cancer: Around 63% of throat and mouth (oropharyngeal) cancers in women are estimated to be caused by HPV. About 3,600 women are diagnosed with throat or mouth cancer each year.