[Genital papillomavirus lesions. Coexistence in sexual partners, role in cancer of the cervix and value of colposcopy].

Since the human papillomavirus is transmissible sexually, an ever increasing number of male patients is seen in dermatology departments. It therefore seems to be important to evaluate the frequency of HPV-related genital lesions in both males and females. Several recent studies have made it clear that concomitant lesions are very often observed in sexual partners. We have tried here to summarize the different data reported in the literature concerning the frequency of HPV lesions and their probable role in cervical cancer. Some human papillomaviruses (types 6 and 11) produce benign lesions while others possess an oncogenic potential (types 16 and 18). Thus, men with venereal condylomas may constitute a group at risk of cervical neoplasia for their female partners. Some authors even consider cancer of the cervix as a sexually transmitted disease. It now becomes necessary to undertake systematic examination of male partners in order to detect viral lesions invisible to the naked eye, particularly before and after acetic acid application on the penis and by means of a colposcope. However, for several reasons given in the conclusion, such an epidemiological study remains difficult to perform.