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Role of Human Papillomavirus Testing in Screening of Cervical Neoplasia

  • Management of HPV and Associated Cervical Lesions (C-H Lai, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the causative agent of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and cervical cancer. HPV and cytology co-tests in women aged 30 years or older every 5 years as primary cervical screening is recommended for developed countries. In HPV-positive and cytology-negative women, follow-up with co-tests at 12 months is recommended. Nevertheless, if HPV-16 or HPV-18 is positive, direct colposcopy is recommended. In mild cytological abnormality and HPV-negative women, routine screening should be continued as per age-specific guidelines. Women with history of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or more should be followed at least 20 years even after age 65 years. In area with very limited resource, a single visit “screen-and-treat” visual inspection with acetic acid might be reasonable. Although the policies of cervical screening vary in different regions, the future screening strategies when the young HPV vaccinated population reaches the screening age will need to be renovated.

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Acknowledgments

Supported by grants from Chang Gung Medical Foundation (CMRPG3B0061/2/3 and CMRPG380731/2/3).

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Conflict of Interest

Angel Chao and Yun-Hsin Tang declare that they have no conflict of interest. Chyong-Huey Lai has received a travel grant from MSD.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan

    Angel Chao, Yun-Hsin Tang & Chyong-Huey Lai

  2. Gynecologic Cancer Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung City, Taiwan

    Angel Chao, Yun-Hsin Tang & Chyong-Huey Lai

  3. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital Linkou Medical Center, 5 Fu-Shin St., Kueishan, Taoyuan, 333, Taiwan

    Angel Chao

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  1. Angel Chao
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Correspondence to Angel Chao.

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Chao, A., Tang, YH. & Lai, CH. Role of Human Papillomavirus Testing in Screening of Cervical Neoplasia. Curr Obstet Gynecol Rep 3, 116–122 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13669-014-0078-7

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