Infezione orale da Human papillomavirus: dalla verruca al carcinoma orale. Epidemiologia, clinica, prevenzione e terapia

In recent years, medical literature has demonstrated a growing interest in HPV infections of the oral cavity and oropharynx, in view of scientific evidence suggesting a role of this viral family in the oropharyngeal district and in the uterine cervix carcinogenesis. Moreover, the media have increasingly addressed the issue and frequently spread alarm among dental patients. The dentist is therefore expected to have a thorough and updated knowledge relating to this infectious condition, which is one of the most common causes of sexually transmitted infections of the mucous membranes (genital, anal and oral). Whatever specialty area a dentist is pursuing, the knowledge of these concepts is a basic requirement for promoting the health of patients and for providing them with comprehensive information about this topic.