Cervical cancer: ESMO clinical practice guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up

摘要

Cervical cancer is the third most common cancer in women, with an estimated 529 828 new cases and 275 128 deaths reported worldwide in 2008. More than 85% of the global burden occurs in developing countries, where it accounts for 13% of all female cancers [1]. In developing countries, the age standardized mortality rate is 10/10 000— more than three times higher than in developed countries [2].It is common knowledge that the most important cause of cervical cancer is persistent papillomavirus infection. The human papillomavirus (HPV) is detected in 99% of cervical tumors, in particular the oncogenic subtypes such as HPV 16 and 18. While Papanicolau smears are used in the classical primary screening technique, HPV DNA testing, introduced in 2008, is well diffused in developed countries and is taking off in developing countries with a potentially significant reduction in the numbers of advanced cervical cancers and deaths [3].