Can filiform warts lead to cervical cancer?
Generally, filiform warts usually do not lead to cervical cancer. Detailed analysis is as follows:
Filiform warts are mostly caused by infection with low-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV). These types of viruses primarily attack the outer layer of the skin and only cause benign skin growths without causing malignant changes in cervical cells. In contrast, cervical cancer is mostly associated with persistent infection of high-risk HPV types. High-risk HPV can invade cervical epithelial cells, and long-term infection may lead to abnormal cell proliferation, which can further trigger cancerous changes. Low-risk HPV and high-risk HPV differ fundamentally in their pathogenic mechanisms and target sites. Therefore, filiform warts caused by low-risk HPV generally do not develop into cervical cancer.
Additionally, even though filiform warts do not directly cause cervical cancer, timely treatment is still necessary to prevent virus spread. Women who are sexually active should undergo regular cervical cancer screening to detect high-risk HPV infection. It is also important to maintain good personal hygiene, avoid unclean contact, and reduce the risk of HPV infection. If cervical abnormalities or a high-risk HPV infection are detected, medical intervention should be sought promptly as directed by a healthcare provider to prevent disease progression.