Microwave device could be less invasive treatment for HPV-caused cancers

Researchers seeking alternative to cutting or burning away affected cells turn to device used on verrucas

A medical device that uses microwaves to destroy verrucas could provide a less invasive way of treating pre-cancers and cancers caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), as well as genital warts.

Almost all cervical cancers and most cancers of the vagina, vulva, penis and anus are caused by HPV. Certain variants of the virus cause genital warts, a sexually transmitted infection that affects 3-4% of British adults.