HPV-associated Disease of the Anal Canal: A Pathology Primer

Anal cancer is a rare disease. Screening for it in high-risk populations is based on the model borrowed from cervical cancer screening with cytology and high resolution anoscopy-guided biopsy. Squamous cell carcinoma of the anus is associated with oncogenic HPVs, particularly type 16. Squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL) are graded on both anal cytology and histology using 2 tiers. Low-grade SIL is reflective of a productive HPV infection; high-grade SIL is the potential precancer. High-risk HPV testing may not be an efficient screening or triage tool given the high prevalence of the virus in populations targeted for anal cancer screening.
Source: Seminars in Colon and Rectal Surgery - Category: Gastroenterology Authors: Source Type: research