Genital, oral, and anal human papillomavirus infection in men who have sex with men.

Even though the incidence of anal cancer among men who have sex with men (MSM) is higher than the incidence of cervical cancer among women, few MSM are identified as high-risk patients in primary care or have received vaccination for human papillomavirus (HPV), the most common sexually transmitted infection worldwide, with 6.2 million new infections each year. The authors review the current literature on diagnosis and basic management of genital, oral, and anal HPV infection. Early diagnosis and treatment of patients with HPV infection is important because this infection causes patients substantial distress even in its benign manifestations. It has also been implicated in a host of cancers, including oral, cervical, penile, and anal cancers and is an independent risk factor for the development of human immunodeficiency virus infection. The incidence of HPV infection drops in women older than 30 years but remains high for MSM in all age ranges. For all of these reasons, physicians should routinely assess the sexual practices of all male patients, especially MSM, and educate them on the HPV infection risks, diagnosis, and treatment options. Physicians can have a significant impact in the primary prevention of HPV by routinely offering HPV vaccination to male patients younger than 26 years.