Human Papillomavirus Infection Following Radiation Therapy or Concurrent Chemoradiation for Invasive Cervical Cancer
Suttida Intharaburan MD*, Yawana Tanapat MD*, Kannika Tatanan MD*, Kondhee Sangkhavasi MD*, Sayomporn Komolpis MD*, Kussathin Buranawit MD*, Phanida Jarruwale MD*
Affiliation : * Gynecologic Oncology Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Phramongkutklao Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
Objective : To determine the prevalence of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection in patients with invasive cervical cancer
after treatment by concurrent chemoradiation therapy.
Material and Method: Cervicovaginal mucous samples were collected from fifty-five patients with invasive cervical cancer
two months after treatment completion and tested for HPV genotypes.
Results : Of the 55 patients, 31 (56.36%) were found to be positive for HPV among these 25(45.46%) were positive for high-
risk HPV. The most common high-risk HPV found was type 16 which accounted for 35.48 % (11/31) of cases. Other high-risk
HPV found were types 18 (16.13%), 52 (16.13%) and 58 (12.90%). Follow-up time for patients were 3 to 22 months with
mean follow-up of 13 months. In patients positive for high-risk HPV, 24.00% (6/25) were found to have persistent or
recurrent disease. While 30 patients negative for high-risk HPV, 3.33% (1/30) were found to have persistent or recurrent
disease.
Conclusion : The prevalence of HPV infection in cervical cancer patients with positive high-risk HPV after treatment by
radiation or concurrent chemoradiation seems to be a risk factor for persistent and recurrent disease. Testing for high-risk
HPV may be a useful modality for follow-up of these patients.
Keywords : Human papillomavirus (HPV), Radiation therapy, Concurrent chemoradiation, Invasive cervical cancer
