Human papillomavirus infection and lymphoma incidence using cervical conization as a surrogate marker: a Danish...

Persistent human papillomavirus (HPV) infection may promote carcinogenesis by hyperactivation of the immune system. We, therefore, explored the associations between HPV infection and risk of Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma in a nationwide cohort study using conization as a surrogate marker. We identified all Danish women who underwent conization between 1978 and 2011. We computed standardized incidence ratios and 95% confidence intervals for Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma based on national cancer incidence rates. Among 87 435 women who underwent conization, we noted an increased incidence of Hodgkin (standardized incidence ratio 1.48, 95% confidence interval 1.05-2.02) but only a slight increase for non-Hodgkin lymphoma (standardized incidence ratio 1.10, 95% confidence interval 0.97-1.25). As measured by conization, HPV infection is associated with an increased risk of lymphoma. This association may be attributable to a chronic immune activation induced by persistent HPV infection and/or failure of the immune system both to clear HPV infection and to control lymphoma development. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.