Published: 18 Jun 2025

ICD9: 079.4      ICD10: B97.7      ICD11: XN8JY

"Papilloma" and "Human Papillomavirus" (HPV) are related terms, but they don't mean the same thing.
Let's break it down:

Human Papillomavirus (HPV): This is a very common *virus*. There are over 200 types of HPV, and they are usually transmitted through skin-to-skin contact, most often during sexual activity.

Papilloma: This refers to a *benign (non-cancerous) tumor* arising from the skin or mucous membrane. In other words, it's a growth, often resembling a wart. Many papillomas are caused by HPV infection.

Relationship:
* Some HPV types are low-risk and primarily cause papillomas (warts) on the skin, genitals, mouth, or throat. These are generally harmless, though they can be bothersome.
* Other HPV types are high-risk and can lead to cellular changes that may eventually develop into cancer, such as cervical, anal, penile, or oropharyngeal cancers. These high-risk types don't always cause visible papillomas, making screening important.

In summary:

HPV is the *cause*, and a papilloma (like a wart) is one possible *effect* of certain HPV types. Not all HPV infections result in papillomas, and not all papillomas are caused by HPV, but HPV is a common cause.