Hey guys. Maybe I missed this, but does cytology find any different causes of cervical cancer versus just HPV-associated cervical cancer? I understand that the HPV appears more sensitive, but would we miss certain cases of cervical cancer by only screening with HPV testing? Thanks!
Hi - This is a really great question, thank-you! HPV causes the vast majority of cervical cancers (91% as pre the CDC link below), but you are correct, cytology AND physical exam, will occasionally pick up a malignancy or other concerning diagnosis that are not HPV related.
Here's a 2003 article from the Guideline Guys editors which shows that HPV caused all CIN-3 and cervical CAs in a group of 511 women: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12861148
Here's the CDC data: https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/hpv/statistics/cases.htm
We'll be sure to update this topic as new data becomes available.
David S. - April 1, 2019 6:17 AM
Hey guys. Maybe I missed this, but does cytology find any different causes of cervical cancer versus just HPV-associated cervical cancer? I understand that the HPV appears more sensitive, but would we miss certain cases of cervical cancer by only screening with HPV testing? Thanks!
Heidi J., MD - April 3, 2019 5:04 AM
Hi - This is a really great question, thank-you! HPV causes the vast majority of cervical cancers (91% as pre the CDC link below), but you are correct, cytology AND physical exam, will occasionally pick up a malignancy or other concerning diagnosis that are not HPV related.
Here's a 2003 article from the Guideline Guys editors which shows that HPV caused all CIN-3 and cervical CAs in a group of 511 women: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12861148
Here's the CDC data: https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/hpv/statistics/cases.htm
We'll be sure to update this topic as new data becomes available.
thomas k. - December 30, 2019 5:48 AM
I am getting back into Family Medicine (from the ER) and I would like to screen using HPV testing every 5 years.
Question - is the HPV testing still from cervical swab or a blood serum testing?
Sorry for being out of the loop
Heidi J., MD - January 6, 2020 9:46 AM
Good question! It's cervical swab. Here' s a neat article that discusses the benefits of self-swabs. Hope the transition back to FM is going well :)