Yes. Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection causes cancer in more than just the cervix, and the incidence of high-grade cervical lesions is higher for women with noncervical HPV-related cancers. Currently, however, no guidelines exist for screening for cervical cancer in women who have other HPV-related cancers. Nevertheless, screening and early diagnosis reduce the risks of cancer-related comorbid conditions and death, so until clear guidelines are available, the current evidence suggests that these women should be considered at high risk and offered closer surveillance.
See related editorial, page 545
15 HIGH-RISK HPV GENOTYPES
HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States, with greater than half the population infected at least once during their lifetime.1–3 Of the more than 100 known HPV genotypes, there are 15 high-risk oncogenic types: 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 68, 73, and 82.
Persistent infection with high-risk HPV causes most cases of squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix, vulva, vagina, oropharynx, penis, and anal canal.4 This causation is supported by epidemiologic and molecular studies, and high-risk HPV DNA can be found in most of these carcinomas. Infection with low-risk genotypes (HPV-6 and HPV-11) can result in benign anogenital warts and respiratory papillomatosis but not cancer.
HPV-RELATED CANCERS
Most HPV infections are transient and resolve or become dormant within 2 years, but a few women with persistent high-risk HPV infection develop cervical cancer. With improved screening, early diagnosis, and treatment of precancerous lesions, the incidence and mortality rates of cervical cancer have decreased, and these rates are expected to decrease further with adequate HPV vaccination.5,6
The only HPV vaccine currently available in the United States protects against 9 HPV serotypes, including HPV-16 and HPV-18, which cause more than 60% of HPV cancer cases in men and women, including most cervical, anal, and oropharyngeal cancers.4 In particular, HPV-16 causes more cases of cancer than any other HPV serotype. Around the world, vaccination provides the opportunity to decrease the burden of high-risk HPV infections in future generations.
The HPV Vaccine Impact Monitoring Project (HPV-IMPACT) study7 collected data on cervical lesions attributable to HPV-16 and HVP-18 and also examined vaccination rates in women ages 18 to 39. The vaccinated women had fewer lesions than those who were not vaccinated.
For men and women, the incidence rates of high-risk HPV at multiple anatomic sites are increasing. Without effective screening programs, the incidence of high-risk HPV-mediated oropharyngeal, vulvar, and anal squamous cell carcinoma likewise is steadily increasing. Certain sexual behaviors (eg, unprotected oral sex, receptive anal sex) and other factors such as impaired local mucosal and systemic immunity increase the risk of HPV infection and subsequent cancer.
Anal cancer is slightly more common in women than in men. However, the rate of anal cancer is especially high in men positive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) who have sex with men, and it is elevated to a lesser extent in immunosuppressed individuals.8,9 The anus and cervix, which share embryologic and anatomic characteristics, may respond similarly to malignant changes induced by persistent high-risk HPV infection, and a clear majority of cancers at both these sites are attributable to HPV,10 as evidenced by detection in tumor specimens.11–13
In addition, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma is now the most common HPV-associated cancer, with incidence rates increasing by 2.7% per year in men and 0.8% per year in women.8 Oropharyngeal cancers are known to be caused by tobacco and alcohol use, but recent studies show that about 70% of these cancers are HPV-positive, with non-Hispanic White males having the highest risk.
HPV AND CANCER SCREENING
Cervical cancer screening for high-risk groups
Cervical cancer screening guidelines for immunocompetent females are based on data from 1.5 million women.14 However, with their increased risk of cervical cancer, HIV-positive women have different screening guidelines based on HIV-specific data. Other women with suppressed immune function or immune dysfunction due to solid-organ transplant, bone marrow transplant, or disease-modifying therapy for autoimmune disease, as well as women with inflammatory bowel disease who are receiving immunosuppressive therapy, also have increased risk of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions of the cervix and squamous cell carcinoma.15
Primarily based on expert opinion but also on available data, cervical cancer screening guidelines for HIV-positive women (noted below) also apply to immunosuppressed women without HIV:
Cotesting (HPV and cervical cytology) every 3 years, if preferred, for women 30 years of age and older.
If HPV testing is unavailable or if the woman is age 21 to 29, cervical cytology is indicated annually for 3 years, and then once every 3 years thereafter if initial results are negative.
Screening continues (past age 65) as long as the patient’s health supports continued screening.
Women who were exposed to diethylstilbestrol in utero have an increased risk of clear-cell adenocarcinoma of the cervix, a rare cancer unrelated to HPV. For these women, annual cervical cytologic examination is currently recommended.16
Screening women with lower genital tract cancers for anal dysplasia, cancer
The progression from HPV acquisition to persistent HPV infection to precancerous and cancerous cervical lesions is well established. Other noncervical HPV-related cancers have not been studied as extensively, but an event progression similar to that of cervical cancer has been hypothesized.
Patients with HPV infection at a single anatomic site have a higher risk of infection at other HPV-related sites through autoinfection.17 For some women with concurrent cervical and anal high-risk HPV infections, the genotypes have shown a high degree of concordance. High-risk HPV infection and coexisting abnormal anal and cervical cytologic findings are common in women receiving immunosuppressive therapy.18 Women who have been treated for high-risk HPV-positive anal cancer have high rates of persistent anal HPV infection,19 which can lead to infection of other genital sites.20
Likewise, the prevalence of anal intraepithelial lesions is increased in women with HPV-related high-grade squamous intraepithelial cervical lesions,21 and this prevalence is greater in women with cervical cancer and greater still in women with HPV-mediated vulvar cancer.17 Cervical, vulvar, vaginal, and anal dysplasia and cancers can be considered parts of a multicentric disease of the lower anogenital tract.
Women with cervical, vulvar, and vaginal cancer have a higher risk of anal cancer. Screening recommendations for anal cancer in these women, at a minimum, should include annual symptom query, visual inspection, and digital anorectal examination. Anal cytology can be considered, depending on the degree of anal cancer risk and the availability of colorectal surgeons who can perform the high-resolution anoscopy required after abnormal cytologic results.21 The annual anal cytology that some recommend for women with HIV22 could benefit women with high-grade vulvar dysplasia and cancer because their anal cancer rates are similar.1,10 Limited data on the natural course of anal dysplasia in women with HPV-mediated cancers hinders the creation of evidence-based guidelines.
Cervical cancer screening for women with noncervical HPV-related cancers
Evidence suggests that the risk of cervical cancer may increase for women with other HPV-related cancers, but currently, we lack specific data and guidance about screening for cervical cancer in women with other HPV-related cancers. This area of ambiguity needs further research. Until then, on the basis of currently available evidence, these women should be considered at high risk and offered cervical cancer screening similar to that of women with HIV infection, as previously detailed.
Because most cases of cervical cancer in the United States are in women who are unscreened or underscreened, we recommend reviewing results of any prior cervical screening. Cervical HPV testing with genotyping and reflex cytologic testing (ie, primary HPV screening) or HPV and cytologic testing (ie, cotesting) should be performed if these tests are available and prior results are not current or cannot be reviewed. Negative HPV test results provide strong evidence of reduced risk of cervical cancer.
Prevention and treatment of precancerous cervical lesions reduce the rate of cervical cancer. In one study, treatment of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3 reduced cancer risk from 30% to 1%.23 Thus, the recommended follow-up for abnormal cervical cancer screening results must occur in a timely manner.
A PRUDENT STRATEGY
The global burden of HPV-related cancers is increasing, but the incidence of these cancers can be reduced by broadly increasing HPV vaccination rates for both sexes worldwide. Because HPV is a multicentric disease, women with lower genital tract cancers should be considered to have higher risk for anal cancers, and women with noncervical HPV-related cancers should be considered to have a higher risk for cervical cancer.
A prudent strategy would be to offer these women closer surveillance, and the suggested screening guidelines are summarized in Table 1. More research is needed to provide clear guidelines for cervical cancer screening for women with other HPV-related cancers.
Suggested screening guidelines
- Copyright © 2020 The Cleveland Clinic Foundation. All Rights Reserved.