Importance of human papillomavirus vaccines in the prevention of cancer

Background: Human papillomaviruses (HPV) are the most common causes of genital viral infections. HPV infections usually heal, but can also persist and thus cause lesions of different grades. Infections with high-risk HPV types (hrHPV) 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58 are responsible for causing 90% of cervical cancer cases in Europe. Head and neck cancer, vaginal and vulvar cancer and their precursors, as well as penile or anal cancer may also be associated with hrHPV. Objectives: The aim of this work is to demonstrate the importance of HPV vaccines in the prevention of genital as well as head and neck cancers. Materials and methods: This work is based on a selective literature search in the PubMed database on the correlation between HPV vaccines and HPV-associated cancer. Results: HPV vaccination ensures a high level of protection against precancerous lesions and cancer of the cervix, vagina, vulva, anus, and genital warts. Conclusions: Results of HPV vaccination and its positive effects on head and neck tumors is expected within the next few decades.