How is pathogenesis of cervical neoplasms?

➢ HPV, the causative agent of cervical neoplasia, has a tropism for the immature squamous cells of the transformation zone. ➢ Most HPV infections are transient and are eliminated within months by the host immune response. ➢ A subset of infections persists, however, and some cause squamous intraepithelial lesions (SILs), which are precursors from which most invasive cervical carcinomas develop. ➢ HPV is detectable by molecular methods in nearly all cases of CIN and cervical carcinoma. ➢ Important risk factors for the development of CIN and invasive carcinoma thus are directly related to HPV exposure and include: • Early age at first intercourse • Multiple sexual partners • Male partner with multiple previous sexual partners • Persistent infection by high-risk strains of papillomavirus ➢ HPV variants are classified as high-risk or low-risk ➢ types based on their propensity to induce carcinogenesis.