REVIEW

Role of the human papilloma virus in the development of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and malignancy

A M Jastreboff¹ and T Cymet²

¹ University of Maryland School of Medicine
² Family Medicine, Sinai Hospital of Baltimore

Correspondence to:
Correspondence to:
Dr Tyler Cymet, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 2435 West Belvedere Ave, Suite 22, Baltimore, MD 21215, USA;
Tcymet{at}Sinai-Balt.com

Human papilloma virus (HPV) is a public health problem as a sexually transmitted disease and as a critical factor in the pathogenesis of various cancers. The clinical manifestations, epidemiology, and virology that are critical to understanding the process of cervical dysplasia and neoplasia are reviewed. A discussion of the cervical transformation zone and the classification of cervical dysplasia and neoplasia leads into the importance of the Papanicolaou smear in prevention of potentially devastating sequelae of this virus. The role of the immune system in the progression of the disease and how it relates to vaccines, as well as treatment and prevention of HPV, are reviewed.

Keywords: human papilloma virus; cervical dysplasia; Papanicolaou smear; sexually transmitted disease; cervical intraepithelial neoplasia

Abbreviations: ASCUS, atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance; CIN, cervical intraepithelial neoplasm; HPV, human papilloma virus; HSIL, high grade squamous intraepithelial lesions; LSIL, low grade squamous intraepithelial lesions; PAP, Papanicolaou (smear)

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