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Risk Factors for Carcinoma of the Cervix
Minakshi Rohilla (Doctor)
Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Queen Mary Hospital, King George Medical College, Lucknow, India
Summary
- Cervical carcinoma is the commonest malignancy seen in Indian women.
- Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection has a central role in the pathogenesis, i.e. key risk factors for cervical cancer (sexual intercourse from an early age; multiple sexual partners) are also key factors associated with HPV infection.
- A higher incidence of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) is associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), reflecting the immunocompromised state of the patient. The latter may also explain the association seen between human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and CIN.
- Smoking and increased parity appear to be independent risk factors for cervical cancer.
Editor's Comment
Epidemiological studies have contributed a great deal to our current understanding of the aetiology of cervical cancer. The data and insights gathered from such studies are reviewed in this paper.
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