Age‐specific 3‐year cumulative risk of cervical cancer and high‐grade dysplasia on biopsy in 9434 women who underwent HPV cytology cotesting

Age‐specific 3‐year cumulative risk of cervical cancer and high‐grade dysplasia on biopsy in 9434 women who underwent HPV cytology cotesting:

Background

High‐risk human papillomavirus (HPV)–Papanicolaou (Pap) cotesting is recommended for cervical cancer screening in women aged ≥30 years. The current study analyzed the effectiveness of cotesting on risk management in different age groups.

Methods

A retrospective review of a 5‐year cytology database identified 9434 women with HPV‐Pap cotesting and follow‐up cervical biopsy. The 3‐year cumulative risk of developing high‐grade cervical lesions (≥high‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesion [HSIL]) was analyzed using age stratification.

Results

The 3‐year cumulative risk of developing ≥HSIL was found to be significantly different in women with baseline cotesting HPV‐positive and Pap‐positive results (HPV+/Pap+; defined as ≥atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance), HPV+ and Pap‐negative results, and HPV‐negative and Pap+ results at 19.2%, 7.9%, and 3.1%, respectively (P < .001). The risk of ≥HSIL peaked at ages 30 to 39 years and significantly decreased at ages 50 to 59 years (16.6% vs 6.7%; P < .001). Women aged <30 years shared a high risk similar to that of women aged 30 to 39 years (17.3% vs 16.6%; P = .52), and risk stratification by cotesting was found to be equally effective in the younger age group (HPV+ and Pap+: 19.6%; HPV+ and Pap‐negative: 7.2%; and HPV‐negative and Pap+: 4.4% [P < .001]).

Conclusions

High‐risk HPV–Pap cotesting appears to be extremely sensitive for the prediction of the risk of developing ≥HSIL and is an effective tool for risk stratification. In the current study, the 3‐year cumulative risk of developing ≥HSIL varied significantly with age, with the highest risk noted among women aged <40 years and the lowest risk observed in women aged 50 to 59 years. Pap testing significantly impacted risk stratification in the HPV+ positive group, especially in women aged <60 years. Women aged <30 years were found to have a risk profile and cotesting efficacy similar to those of women aged 30 to 39 years. Modification of the current recommendation to offer cotesting to women aged ≥30 years might be considered to include those patients aged <30 years.