Pap Smear Abnormalities/ HPV

The Pap Smear test is a medical screening method primarily designed to detect premalignant (dysplasia) and malignant processes of the cervix. It may also detect infections and abnormalities in the endocervix and endometrium but it is principally a test for cervical dysplasia a cellular condition caused by Human Papilloma Virus.

Papillomaviruses are a diverse group of DNA-based viruses that infect the skin and mucous membranes of humans and a variety of animals. Approximately 130 human papillomavirus (HPV) types have been identified.
Some HPV types can cause warts while others may cause a subclinical infection resulting in precancerous lesions. All HPVs are transmitted by skin-to-skin contact to any substance that adheres to and transmits infectious material.

A group of about 30-40 HPVs is typically transmitted through sexual contact and infect the anogenital region. Some sexually transmitted HPVs may cause genital warts. However, other HPV types which may infect the genitals do not cause any noticeable signs of infection.

Persistent infection with a "high-risk" subset of sexually transmitted HPVs — different from the ones that cause warts — may lead to potentially precancerous lesions and can progress to invasive cancer. HPV infection is a necessary factor in the development of nearly all cases of cervical cancer.

A cervical Pap smear is used to detect cellular abnormalities. This allows targeted surgical removal of condylomatous and/or potentially precancerous lesions prior to the development of invasive cervical cancer.
Human Papilloma virus research is a fast paced and very busy area in clinical research and recent advances have produced HPV Vaccines and new treatment approaches to cervical dysplasia. Precision Trials is involved in many of the investigational drugs and diagostic tools being studied in the detection and treatment of HPV.

Register NOW for Pap Smear Abnormalities/ HPV Clinical Trials