HPV: Concerns About Lesions and Vaccination Impact

HPV (Human Papillomavirus) vaccination?

Hello Dr.
Huang, I recently discovered a small bump (approximately 1mm) above the urethral opening of the glans, which is neither painful nor itchy and has no discharge.
After 10 days, there has been no significant change.
A urologist examined me and suggested that it is likely a benign HPV infection, with a lower probability of infection from HPV types 6 and 11.
The doctor prescribed me Aldara cream (a medication for warts).

1.
Since no pathological biopsy was performed, is it likely that the probability of HPV types 6 and 11 is high?
2.
After discovering the lesion, I went to the hospital to receive the Gardasil 9 vaccine.
Will this affect the subsequent protective effect of the vaccine against HPV? Thank you.

Mr. Chen, 20~29 year old female. Ask Date: 2017/09/18

Dr. Huang Jianzhong reply Obstetrics and Gynecology

Recently, I discovered a small bump (about 1mm) above the urethral opening of the glans, which is neither painful nor itchy and has no discharge.
After 10 days, there has been no significant change.
A urologist examined me and suggested that there is a higher likelihood of a benign HPV infection, with a lower probability of infection from HPV types 6 and 11.
The doctor prescribed Aldara cream (a treatment for warts) for me.

1.
Since no pathological biopsy was performed, is it likely that HPV types 6 and 11 are the cause?
2.
I received the Gardasil 9 vaccine after discovering the lesion; will this affect the vaccine's protective efficacy against HPV in the future?
3.
Without a pathological biopsy, what is the likelihood of HPV types 6 and 11 being involved?
These are all statements made by the urologist.
Since the information differs greatly from my understanding, I suggest consulting the urologist directly.

Reply Date: 2017/09/18

More Info

Hello! Thank you for your questions regarding HPV and its implications for your health. Let's address your concerns one by one.

1. Probability of HPV Types 6 and 11: The small bump you described, which is painless and has not changed over ten days, could indeed be a benign HPV-related lesion, such as a genital wart. HPV types 6 and 11 are known to cause benign lesions like warts, while high-risk types (like 16 and 18) are associated with cancer. However, without a biopsy, it is difficult to definitively determine which type of HPV is present. The probability of having HPV types 6 and 11 is plausible, especially given that these types are common and often lead to benign conditions. If your healthcare provider suspects a benign HPV infection, it is reasonable to consider that these types could be involved, but definitive identification would require further testing, such as a biopsy.

2. Impact of Vaccination After Discovery of Lesion: You mentioned that you received the Gardasil 9 vaccine after noticing the lesion. This is an important point. The Gardasil 9 vaccine is designed to protect against nine HPV types, including the high-risk types (16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58) and the low-risk types (6 and 11) that cause genital warts. If you were already infected with HPV types 6 or 11 prior to vaccination, the vaccine will not treat or eliminate the existing infection. However, it can still provide protection against other HPV types that you have not yet encountered. Therefore, receiving the vaccine after discovering the lesion does not negatively impact its effectiveness; it simply means that the vaccine will not clear the existing infection but will help prevent future infections from other HPV types.

In summary, while the small bump may be indicative of a benign HPV infection, further testing would provide a clearer picture. The Gardasil 9 vaccine remains beneficial as it can protect against other strains of HPV, even if you have already been exposed to some types. It is always advisable to maintain open communication with your healthcare provider regarding any changes in your condition and to follow their recommendations for monitoring and treatment.

If you have any further questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out. It's crucial to stay informed and proactive about your health, especially when it comes to HPV and its potential implications.

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