Combined Pap Smear and HPV Testing Improves Cervical Cancer Detection

Incidence of high-grade cervical lesions was 51% higher with combined testing than with Pap smears alone at initial screening but 42% lower at subsequent screenings.

Papanicolaou (Pap) smear screening has greatly reduced the incidence of invasive cervical cancer in resource-rich countries. Since the test’s introduction, however, we have learned that the major cause of cervical cancer is persistent infection with certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV). Cohort studies suggest that combined screening using Pap smear and HPV testing provides better sensitivity in detecting cervical cancer than does Pap smear alone.

To examine the benefits of such combined screening, researchers randomized 12,527 women in Sweden (age range, 32–38) to undergo either HPV testing with Pap smear (intervention group) or Pap smear alone (control group). At baseline screening, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grade 2 or…

Reviewing Author

Neil M. Ampel, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)

Neil M. Ampel, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)

Combined Pap Smear and HPV Testing Improves Cervical Cancer Detection

Topics

Reviewing Author