Penile carcinoma is usually associated with which infection?

• A. Human Papillomavirus
• B. Herpes Simplex Virus
• C. Epstein-Barr Virus
• D. HIV

Answer: (A)

Penile carcinoma is most strongly linked to human papillomavirus infection, especially high‑risk types like 16 and 18. HPV drives malignant transformation through viral oncoproteins E6 and E7 that inactivate tumor suppressors such as p53 and Rb, leading to uncontrolled cell growth in penile epithelium. The cancer often arises in areas affected by HPV‑related intraepithelial neoplasia. The other infections don’t have a direct causal role in penile cancer: herpes simplex virus causes genital ulcers but isn’t a driver of carcinogenesis in penile tissue; Epstein–Barr virus is associated with other cancers (like nasopharyngeal carcinoma and certain lymphomas); HIV increases overall cancer risk through immunosuppression but is not the direct etiologic agent for penile carcinoma.