Epidemiology, aetiology and prevention of carcinoma of the cervix [Epidemiologie, Ätiologie und Prävention des Zervixkarzinoms]

Molecular and epidemiological studies have confirmed that human pathogenic papillomaviruses (HPV)types 16 and 18 are causally involved in the developement of carcinoma of the cervix. This statement is also true, albeit with reservations as yet, of other so-called high-risk HPV types, such as HPV 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56 and 58. Around 500,000 women throughout the world become ill with carcinoma of the cervix every year, and 1–4% of all younger women have a precancer of the cervix uteri. This knowledge of the viral origin of anogenital neoplasms has not yet been exploited for primary and secondary prevention of these illnesses, however. This is mainly because infection with genital HPV types is very prevalent in young women but seldom leads to carcinoma. In this review, therefore, the most important epidemiological data available on cervical carcinoma and its preliminary stages are analysed with reference to an association with HPV. In addition, the molecular biological data on HPV as it relates to anogenital carcinogenesis are presented. In conclusion, the significance of HPV for the prevention of carcinoma of the cervix is discussed. © 1999, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.