There are over 150 strains of the HPV virus. The virus strains that cause the warts are considered low risk for vaginal, penile, and anal cancer.

hpv is human papiloma virus. it is penile or vaginal warts. similar to regular warts. it is a leading cause of cervical cancer. a very effective vacine is now available.

No. Human papillomavirus--that which causes all warts, including genital warts--come in two types: low-risk and high-risk. All HPV types can result in the growth of abnormal cells, but only high-risk HPV types can lead to cancer. HPV types that cause genital warts are low-risk, such as HPV-6 and HPV-11.

Do not worry. Penile warts are not cancerous and can be treated through medical procedures (laser treatment, surgery, cryotherapy) and topical remedies (Wartscide, etc).

For more information about genital warts and HPV, check this out: cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/HPV

Skin tags, anal tags from healed hemorrhoids, and pearly penile papules can all look like genital warts. For those without familiarity with the illness, any type of bump on the genitals may look like genital warts.

Yes. A recent study has shown that Gardasil is 90% effective at preventing genital warts in males. Genital warts are caused by HPV (Human Papiloma Virus). Genital warts are responsible for most penile and rectal cancer, and by vaccinating against HPV, these men are protected from penile and rectal cancer caused by HPV. Giving the vaccine to men will also mean that they can not transmit HPV to their female partners. This would greatly reduce the risk of cervical cancer due to HPV infections in women. If all boys and girls were vaccinated for HPV, the HPV virus would be eliminated, causing rates of cervical, penile, and rectal cancer to drop by 80%. For the vaccine to be effective it must be given before an individual is exposed to HPV. This is why the vaccine should be given in childhood, usually between the ages of 9 and 14. However the vaccine can and should be given to men of any age, as it reduces the risk of getting HPV, genital warts, and penile and rectal cancers caused by HPV. At this point doctors can give the HPV vaccine Gardasil to males as an off label use. The label for Gardasil should be updated by the summer of 2009 to indicate its use for prevention of HPV infection, genital warts, penile cancer, and rectal cancer in males.