The significance of high‐risk human papillomavirus detection in women aged ≥ 50 years with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance cytologic preparations

BACKGROUND.

The use of high‐risk human papillomavirus (HRHPV) testing in the triage of women with a cytologic diagnosis of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC‐US) has gained widespread acceptance. To date, very little has been reported on the significance of the detection of HRHPV in elderly women.

METHODS.

Results of HRHPV testing performed on women aged ≥50 years were examined for a 20‐month period. Reflex testing for HRHPV was performed on residual liquid‐based cytology specimens from women who were diagnosed with ASC‐US by using the Digene Hybrid Capture method. Follow‐up information on women who had HRHPV detected was obtained from subsequent pathology reports (cytology and surgical).

RESULTS.

HRHPV testing was performed on 762 specimens from women aged ≥50 years; virus was detected in 105 specimens (13.8%), and follow‐up was available in 63 of those women (60%). Follow‐up results included negative tests in 32 women (50.8% of those with follow‐up available), low‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesion in 26 women (41.3%), and high‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) in 5 women (7.9%). No glandular neoplasia or invasive carcinoma was identified. Relative light units/cutoff (RLU/CO) values ranged from 1 RLU/CO to 1705 RLU/CO; no significant associations were identified between RLU/CO values and follow‐up results.

CONCLUSIONS.

Although HRHPV was detected in a minority of samples, HSIL was present in 7.9% of those with HRHPV. This confirms that the presence of HRHPV in women aged ≥50 years with ASC‐US specimens needs clinical follow‐up. There were no significant differences in RLU/CO values between women with positive versus negative follow‐up to allow for further discrimination for follow‐up. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2007. Published 2007 by the American Cancer Society.