Epidemiology and biology of cervical cancer

Abstract

Worldwide, cancer of the cervix is the second leading cause of cancer death in women: each year, an estimated 500,000 cases are newly diagnosed. Among populations, there are large differences in incidence rates of invasive cervical cancer: these reflect the influence of environmental factors, screening Papanicolaou (Pap) tests, and treatment of pre‐invasive lesions. The high‐risk human papillomavirus (HPV) subtypes 16, 18, 31, 33, and 51 have been recovered from more than 95% of cervical cancers. We have made great strides in understanding the molecular mechanism of oncogenesis of this virus, focusing on the action of the E6 and E7 viral oncoproteins. These oncoproteins function by inactivating cell cycle regulators p53 and retinoblastoma (Rb), thus providing the initial event in progression to malignancy. Cervical cancers develop from precursor lesions, which are termed squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL) and are graded as high or low, depending on the degree of disruption of epithelial differentiation. Viral production occurs in low‐grade lesions and is restricted to basal cells. In carcinomas, viral DNA is found integrated into the host genome, but no viral production is seen. The well‐defined pre‐invasive stages, as well as the viral factors involved at the molecular level, make cervical carcinoma a good model for investigating immune therapeutic alternatives or adjuvants to standard treatments. Semin. Surg. Oncol. 16:203–211, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

KCl Cotransport Is an Important Modulator of Human Cervical Cancer Growth and Invasion

“…Cervical cancer remains the second most common cancer among women worldwide, accounting for 15% of all female cancers (1). The incidence of invasive cervical cancer varies considerably in different populations, reflecting the influence of variations in environmental factors, Pap smear surveillance, and the treatment of pre-invasive lesions.…”

Interferon gamma +874 T/A polymorphism increases the risk of cervical cancer: evidence from a meta-analysis

“…Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers, causing high mortality among women worldwide, especially in developing countries [1,2]. As we now know, the development of cervical cancer is strongly related with persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) types 16 and 18 [3].…”

Epidemiologic Differentiation of Diagnostic and Screening Populations for the Assessment of Cervical Dysplasia Using Optical Technologies

“…However, these studies have been unable to control for other factors, such as an avoidance of other types of contraceptives (e.g. condoms) and a correlation of OC users with more lifetime sexual partners 18, 19 . Franceschi, et al showed a positive association between OC use and cervical cancer risk when controlling for HPV status 17 ; however, Dillner, et al found that a similar correlation lost significance when HPV status was taken into account 16 .…”