Pre-malignancy and malignancy of the cervix tend to be associated with sexual activity suggesting the possibility of transmission of a causative organism. Starting sexual activity at a young age, multiple partners and smoking are known factors.
It took many years to fathom out the culprit which proves to be the wart virus (Human Papillomavirus -HPV). From 1997, it has been possible to screen for the presence of this virus in routine clinical practice. The test is slightly expensive.
Eighty per cent of sexually active females will become infected with this common virus at some point in their lifetime. Approximately 20 million people are currently infected with HPV. At least 50 percent of sexually active men and women acquire genital HPV infection at some point in their lives. About 6.2 million Americans get a new genital HPV infection each year. 0701 Over 40 types of HPV infect the genital epithelium, and it isnow widely accepted that cervical infections by approximately15 carcinogenic types cause virtually all cervical cancer worldwide. In addition to HPV types 16 and 18, types 31, 33,35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 68, 73, and 82 should be consideredcarcinogenic, or high-risk, types, and types 26, 53, and 66should be considered probably carcinogenic. Approximately 70% of cervical cancers are caused byHPV types 16 or 18.
Related Medical Abstracts - Click on the paper title:-
- A prospective study showing long-term infection with human papillomavirus 16 before the development of cervical carcinoma in situ. (2000-01)
- Bacterial vaginosis and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia - Cause or coincidence? (1998)
- International incidence rates of invasive cervical cancer after introduction of cytological screening (1997)
- Serologically diagnosed infection with human papillomavirus type 16 and risk for subsequent development of cervical carcinoma: Nested case-control study (1996)
- Cancer associated human papillomaviruses: perinatal transmission and persistence (1994)
Please click on the required question.
- 1 What is the cervix?
- 2 What is a cervical polyp?
- 3 What is meant by cervical erosion (ectopy) and cervicitis?
- 4 What is the transformation zone?
- 5 What is a 'Paptest' (PAP test (cervical smear) test)
- 6 My PAP smear test (cervical smear) shows inflammation. Should I be worried?
- 7 What are cells and what is an abnormal (pre- malignant) cell?
- 8 My PAP smear test (cervical smear) shows abnormal cells. Does this mean that I have cancer?
- 9 What is meant by the terms pre-malignant cells, dyskaryosis, dysplasia and CIN?
- 10 What are the symptoms of pre-malignancy of the cervix?
- 11 What are benign and malignant tumours?
- 12 Why have I developed a pre-malignant condition of my cervix?
- 13 What is colposcopy?
- 14 What treatments are available for pre-malignant conditions of the cervix?
- 15 Can pre-malignant conditions of the cervix be cured?
- 16 How can I be re-assured that the pre-malignant changes will not recur?
- 17 How can we prevent carcinoma of the cervix?
- 18 Is there a reason to screen for HPV?
- 19 Support Groups.
- 20 Are there any support groups?
Thank you for choosing to visit us.
This is the personal website of David A Viniker MD FRCOG, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Whipps Cross University Hospital, London - Specialist Interests - Reproductive Medicine including Infertility, PCOS, PMS, Menopause and HRT.
I do hope that you find the answers to your women's health questions in the patient information and medical advice provided.
