Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most prevalent sexually transmitted infection (STI) worldwide. Immunocompetent hosts have intact defense mechanisms to prevent HPV infection, but immunocompromised patients are at higher risk for complications, including HPV-related cancers. Most of these cancers originate from high-risk HPV strains in sexually active patients.
Case: Here we present a case of an immunocompromised adolescent who developed cervical cancer despite no prior sexual activity and only ever having had low-risk type HPV on biopsy.
Summary and conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first case report of a cervical cancer arising from a low-risk HPV strain in an immunocompromised, non-sexually active adolescent. This case highlights the importance of preventive and screening mechanisms in immunocompromised populations, as they are have a higher probability of HPV-related complications, even in the absence of traditional risk factors.
Keywords: Adolescent; Case report; Cervical cancer; Condyloma; HPV; Immunocompromised.
Copyright © 2021 North American Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.