Is therapeutic conization sufficient to eliminate a high-risk HPV infection of the uterine cervix? A clinicopathological analysis.

Abstract

The data of the present study demonstrated that a high-risk HPV infection is successfully eliminated by conization in most cases. A high HPV prevalence in patients who had positive cone margins and/or disease recurrence was observed. Patients with persisting HPV infection after conization show statistically significant higher rates of positive resection margins and are at increased risk of disease recurrence. HPV testing seems to be, therefore, a valuable tool to monitor the therapeutic results of conization and to discriminate patients who have a higher risk of disease recurrence.