Warts and other human papillomavirus infections

Currently, 25 different types of human papillomavirus (HPV) are recognized, each responsible for a characteristic clinical manifestation of warts or wart-like lesions. Increasingly, evidence supports a close relationship between certain types of HPVs--5, 8, 14, 16, 18, and perhaps 6 and 11--and malignant transformation. Before therapy is initiated, the probability of spontaneous resolution must be considered. The discomfort and possible risks of treatment must be balanced against the patient's discomfort and pain. Possible modes of treatment include topical therapy, cryotherapy and surgery, intralesional injections, and immunotherapy.