Evaluating the Role of HPV Testing for Women With Equivocal Papanicolaou Test Findings
Article Abstract:
Testing Pap smear samples for the human papillomavirus (HPV) may be the best way of identifying women with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) who are at risk of developing cervical cancer. ASCUS means the cervical cells are abnormal, but not cancerous. A 1999 study found that testing these Pap smears for HPV could identify the women with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSILs), which are a precursor of cervical cancer. HPV testing would be more cost-effective than biopsy or a repeat Pap test. However, doctors need to remember that many HPV infections are benign.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1999
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Identifying Women With Cervical Neoplasia: Using Human Papillomavirus DNA Testing for Equivocal Papanicolaou Results
Article Abstract:
Testing Pap smears for human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA can identify the early stages of cervical cancer in women whose smear is classified as atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS). Researchers used this technique on 973 women with an ASCUS Pap test. If the HPV test was positive, the woman was referred for cervical biopsy. Seven percent of the women had an early form of cervical cancer called high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSILs). About 90% of these women had tested positive for HPV DNA on the first Pap test. This would spare the women from a second Pap test.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1999
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Human Papillomavirus Testing for Primary Cervical Cancer Screening
Article Abstract:
Further research is needed to determine whether testing women for the human papillomavirus (HPV) can lower the rate of cervical cancer. HPV is believed to be the primary cause of cervical cancer. Two diagnostic tests have been developed that can rapidly detect HPV in vaginal secretions or samples of cervical tissue. This can be done using a vaginal swab so the sample could be collected by the woman. This would be ideal in regions where the health care infrastructure is primitive. The tests are more accurate than Pap smears but have a relatively high false-positive rate.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 2000
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