HPV typing as the method of choice in the prevention and early detection of cervical cancer

Abstract

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is recognized as the primary cause of cervical cancer (CC), and significant coexisting factors have also been identified. CC is considered a curable disease because it has a long preinvasive period. It is possible to organize effective screening, and the treatment of preinvasive lesions is successful. Aim: To show the importance of HPV typing in the early detection of premalignant cervical disease. Method: Literature review, synthesis, and extraction of key professional and contemporary literature. Results: Depending on the methods used in identification, the presence of different types of HPV was identified in about 90% of intraepithelial neoplasia and CC samples. HPV genotyping plays an important role in the detection of dysplasia and helps to reduce the number of false-positive Pap test results. Randomized controlled trials have shown that CC screening with HPV testing offers greater protection against cervical precancer and cancer compared with cytology-based screening. To date, it has been proven that HPV 16 and 18 genotypes have the highest oncogenic potential. These two genotypes are responsible for about 70% of all squamous cell carcinomas, 30-40% of vulvar cancers, and about 85% of cervical adenocarcinomas. According to a recent report, 48 (35%) of 139 countries recommended HPV-based cervical screening, with most currently switching from cytology to HPV testing. Conclusion: HPV typing can be of great benefit in the early detection of malignant transformation of infected cells and the prevention of CC.