Susceptibility to cervical cancer: an overview

Gynecol Oncol. 2012 Aug;126(2):304-11. doi: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2012.03.047. Epub 2012 Apr 4.

Abstract

Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in females worldwide. It is well-established that Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infections play a critical role in the development of cervical cancer. However, a large number of women infected with oncogenic HPV types will never develop cervical cancer. Thus, there are several external environment and genetic factors involved in the progression of a precancerous lesion to invasive cancer. In this review article, we addressed possible susceptible phenotypes to cervical cancer, focusing on host genome and HPV DNA variability, multiple HPV infections, co-infection with other agents, circulating HPV DNA and lifestyle.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Disease Progression
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Papillomaviridae / genetics
  • Papillomavirus Infections / complications
  • Papillomavirus Infections / genetics
  • Papillomavirus Infections / virology
  • Risk Factors
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / etiology*
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / genetics
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / pathology
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / virology