Cancer. 1996 Jun 1;77(11):2275-9.
Human papillomavirus DNA in uterine cervix squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma detected by polymerase chain reaction.
Iwasawa A, Nieminen P, Lehtinen M, Paavonen J.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Helsinki, Finland.
BACKGROUND. Substantial clinical, epidemiologic, and experimental evidence has reinforced the role of high risk human papillomavirus (HPV) types in the development of cervical carcinoma. The authors investigated HPV in the uterine cervix squamous cell carcinomas and adenocarcinomas of Finnish patients. METHODS. Specimens from 352 patients with uterine cervix squamous cell carcinomas and 108 with adenocarcinoma were examined for HPV DNA by polymerase chain reaction. The authors used consensus primers located in the L1 region, as well as HPV16, 18, and 33 type-specific primers located in the E6 region. RESULTS. HPV DNA was detected in 324 of 352 squamous cell carcinomas (92%), and 81 of 108 adenocarcinomas (75%). Two-hundred seventy-four of 352 squamous cell carcinomas (78%) and 18 of 108 adenocarcinomas (17%) contained HPV16 DNA, whereas 55 of 352 squamous cell carcinomas (16%) and 60 of 108 adenocarcinomas (56%) contained HPV18 DNA. Eight squamous cell carcinomas and 4 adenocarcinomas were positive for HPV33. Twenty-eight squamous cell carcinomas and 5 adenocarcinomas were positive for either HPV16 and HPV18 or HPV16 and HPV33. Unclassified HPV DNA was detected in 17 squamous cell carcinomas and 4 adenocarcinomas. Twenty-eight squamous cell carcinomas and 9 adenocarcinomas, which were positive for E6 DNA using type-specific primers, were negative for the L1 gene. All 460 cervical specimens were tested twice with identical results. CONCLUSIONS. HPV DNA was highly prevalent in both uterine cervix squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. HPV16 was detected more often in squamous cell carcinoma and HPV18 was detected more often in adenocarcinoma. Both consensus structural L1 gene-derived primers and type-specific viral E6 oncogene-derived primers were necessary to detect HPV DNA in cervical carcinoma.
Please click on the required question.
- 1 What is cancer (malignancy)
- 2 What is meant by cancer staging?
- 3 How prevalent is cancer?
- 4 How prevalent are womens' cancers?
- 5 What causes cancer?
- 6 Is cancer a hereditary condition?
- 7 How can gynaecological cancer present?
- 8 How can we reduce the risks of the womens' cancers?
Reducing the Risks of Womens' Cancers.
- 9 What are screening tests?
- 10 What are the reactions to a diagnosis of cancer?
- 11 Is there a place for counselling when cancer is diagnosed?
- 12 Can personality alter the prognosis?
- 13 Is the incidence of deaths from the female cancers changing?
- 14 Is there a place for a holistic approach to cancer?
Cancer of the Cervix.
- 15 How prevalent is cervical cancer?
- 16 What causes cervical cancer?
- 17 How long an interval should there be between cervical screening (smear) (PAP) tests?
- 18 Is there any evidence that cervical screening can reduce the incidence of cervical cancer?
- 19 Will pre-malignant changes of the cervix invariably lead to cancer?
Endometrial Cancer (Uterus)
- 20 What causes endometrial cancer?
- 21 Are there screening tests for endometrial cancer?
- 22 How does endometrial cancer present?
Cancer of the Ovary.
- 23 How does ovarian cancer present?
- 24 How prevalent is ovarian cancer?
- 25 What are tumour markers?
- 26 Can we screen for ovarian cancer?
- 27 What is the relationship between infertility and ovarian cancer?
- 28 Can treatment of infertility increase the risk of ovarian cancer?
- 29 What is the relationship between oral contraception and cancer?
- 30 Can ovarian cancer be prevented?
- 31 I use talcum power. Could this increase my risk of developing ovarian cancer?
The Treatment Of Womens' Cancers
- 14 Is there a place for a holistic approach to cancer?
- 32 Can we predict the course of a cancer?
- 33 What treatment options are available for gynaecological cancer?
- Q32.33c What treatment options are available for ovarian cancer?
Cancer of the Vulva, Vagina and Fallopian Tube
- 34 How prevalent are malignant conditions of the vulva, vagina and Fallopian tubes?
Breast Cancer
- 35 What is the incidence of breast cancer?
- 35 ?What is the cause of breast cancer?
- 35a What are the advantages of breast cancer screening - mammography - mammograms?
- 36 How often should breast screening be carried out?
- 37 Are there any problems having a mammogram?
- 38 Should I check myself for breast lumps?
- 39 One of my family developed cancer of the breast. Am I at increased risk?
- 40 We have a family tendency towards developing breast / ovarian cancer. Are there any genetic tests to find out if I am at increased risk?
- 41 What happens if a mammogram shows an abnormality?
- 42 What are the advantages and disadvantages of tamoxifen in the management of breast cancer?
- 42a Breast Cancer Treatment - What is available?
- 43 What is the relationship between breast cancer and the pill?
Web sites and Support Groups
- 44 Are there any support groups?
- 44 Are there any support groups?
- 45 Support Groups.
- 46 Breast Cancer Support Groups
- 47 Ovarian Cancer Support Groups
- 48 Endometrial Cancer Support Groups
- 49 Cervical Cancer Support Groups
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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.



