Genital HPV types infect the squamous epithelial skin cells lining the mouth and lower genital tract. Most infections resolve and do not cause lesions. Some infections cause lesions as the HPV DNA replicates in lower layers of the squamous epithelial cells. The body's immune system often clears these lesions before they become malignant. If malignant transformations occur in the host cells, the malignancy spreads to glandular and intraepithelial cells. Refer to the figure below on the potential progression of Human Papillomavirus infection.
