HPV DNA test as a Diagnostic Tool for Cervical Cancer.

Lee, Jae Kwan

Clinical Trial

Korean Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology 2006;49(2):261-275.
Published online February 1, 2006.

HPV DNA test as a Diagnostic Tool for Cervical Cancer.

Jae Kwan Lee

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Korea University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. jklee38@korea.ac.kr

Abstract

Despite the national effort to reduce the incidence of cervical cancer, it is estimated that in 2002 there is 3,979 new cases of invasive cervical cancer in Korea which result in 1,079 cancer-related deaths. After the study of the relation of cervical cancer and human papillomavirus (HPV) for several decades, the HPV has been detected in virtually all invasive cervical cancers and has been confirmed as the major cause of this cancer. This knowledge has potential applications for prevention and treatment, and clinical trials are underway to search for a suitable vaccine. The performance of HPV testing in addition to cytology may be a potential adjunct to cervical cytology for primary screening by allowing an increase in screening interval. Selective use of this technology for triaging of women with low-grade cytologic abnormalities for colposcopy or for improving follow-up after treatment may prove appropriate application. This review will focus on addressing the utility of HPV DNA test as a diagnostic tool for cervical cancer.

Key Words: Human papillomavirus, Cervical cancer, Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, Screening