Prevalence of HPV genotypes in cervical adenocarcinoma: a study in Greek women

To study the prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes among cervical adenocarcinomas in Greek women.

The study group comprised 78 adenocarcinoma cases (20 in situ and 58 invasive). HPV DNA was amplified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and HPV genotypes were identified by reverse hybridization.

There was a high prevalence of HPV infection both for in situ (95%) or invasive (94.83%) adenocarcinomas, comprising also cancers of unusual morphology. HPV 16 was the commonest strain (N=57, 73.08%) followed by HPV 18 (N=28, 35.90%). Interestingly, 13 cases (16.67%) were also HPV 52 positive (as co-infection with HPV 16 or 18). All other strains with the exception of HPV 66 were found only as co-infections. No significant age difference was noted in terms of any HPV strain positivity.

HPV DNA was found in the large majority of cervical adenocarcinomas. As opposed to other studies, HPV 52 was the third most commonly encountered strain after HPV 16 and HPV 18. The above findings would probably be of help in decision making concerning vaccination policy for the prevention of HPV infection in Greece.