HPV (HUMAN PAPILOMA VIRUS) PANEL

WHAT IS HPV?

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infection is on of the most commonly sexually transmitted diseases. It has been determined that 80-90% of sexually active men and women are infected with at least one of the HPV types at least once in their lifetime. It often progresses without clinical signs (asymptomatic). Human papillomavirus (HPV) are DNA viruses that cause epithelial proliferation by infecting squamous epithelial cells of the skin and mucous membranes (larynx, anogenital region). It is important to note that the presence of HPV is also seen in women who have never been sexually active.

Papilloma means growth or wart, so HPV is also known as 'the wart virus'. In studies, 15-28% of HPV DNA positive women develop squamous intraepithelial neoplasia within 2 years, while this rate is 1-3% in HPV DNA negative women. HPV DNA can be found in approximately 10% of women with normal cervical epithelium. The prevalence of HPV varies with demographic data such as age and marital status. Although HPV is associated with benign (warts) and malignant (actinic keratosis) skin lesions and cancers outside the anogenital system (oral, laryngeal papilloma) in individuals with normal and suppressed immune systems, the laboratory diagnosis of HPV is limited to genital HPV and cervical cancer. For this purpose, HPV DNA PCR test can be performed on swab and biopsy samples taken from the suspicious lesion.

HOW IS HPV TRANSMITTED?

Most sexually active men and women come into contact with HPV at some point in their lives and can clear the virus from their bodies within a few months. (Ex: As with other viruses for cold and flu)

Transmission; It can occur by sexual contact (including vaginal, anal, oral sex), contact with areas with impaired epithelial integrity as a result of minor traumas, or intrapartum transmission from an infected mother to her child. Warts may or may not appear for weeks or months after sexual contact with an infected person.

HPV and CERVICAL CANCER

- Cervical cancer, which is the result of abnormal and uncontrolled proliferation of cervical cells, is the most common cancer in women after breast cancer.

HPV settles in normal cells in the genital area, especially in the cervix, and may cause changes in the cells after years. After contact with the virus, a silent period passes for 9-12 months. In individuals with high immunity, lesions regress in 12-24 months.

- Clinical findings vary according to the type of HPV. HPV types with mucosal involvement usually infect the genital area and cause precancerous lesions and cellular changes that can turn into cancer over time.

HPV SAMPLE COLLECTION

Sample (types of samples to be tested) are swab and/or biopsy samples taken from the cervix (cervix) through a specialist doctor. Or, it can be studied with the sample taken from the first urine in the morning.

HPV;

Does not transmit via:

Shared bathrooms and toilets
Kissing, hugging, or handshaking
Sharing food and drinks
From communal swimming pools

HOW TO SCREEN FOR HPV?

By investigating the presence of low/high risk HPV types with the HPV DNA PCR test and then following the cellular changes with the pap smear test, cervical pathologies can be detected before they turn into cancer.
In accordance with current screening approaches, HPV Type Determination (High Risk / Low Risk) test is performed in our center and the 35 most important HPV types are detected.
Cervical cancer screening should start from the age of 21 in sexually active women.
Pap-smear test is performed every 3 years between the ages of 21 and 29.
After the age of 30, HPV-DNA and pap-smear tests should be applied together every 5 years.

HPV TEST RESULTS

Currently, the 'gold standard' for HPV diagnosis is the detection and typing of HPV-DNA by PCR.

(-) A negative HPV result; means you do not carry the cancer-causing HPV virus that was screened at the time of the test.

(+) A positive HPV result; means you may have a cancer-causing HPV virus. But that doesn't mean you have cancer.

When a positive result is obtained, a vaginal pap smear test should be performed to understand how much cell changes the virus has made. Your doctor will guide you in this regard.

DONT FORGET!

1. Early detection of HPV provides early intervention and saves lives!

2. You can be protected against cervical cancer with the HPV test!

3. For most patients, the immune system will recover from HPV just like getting rid of a cold.

4. Don't smoke, eat healthy!

5. Get the HPV vaccine!

HPV DNA PCR

The virus is thought to have more than 150 genotypes that can affect the body. About 30 HPV types are known to be associated with genital and anal lesions.

Classification of HPV Genotypes

18 High Risk HPV: 16, 18, 26, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 53, 56, 58, 59, 66, 68, 73 ve 82 genotypes.

17 Low Risk HPV: 6,11, 40, 42, 43, 44, 54, 55, 61, 62, 67, 69, 70, 71, 72, 81 ve 84 genotypes.