Overview of Ancillary Techniques in Cervical Cytology

Background: The association between high-risk serotypes of human papillomavirus (hr-HPV) and cervical cancer is well-established.

Summary: In order to improve the sensitivity of cervical cytology testing, hr-HPV testing has rapidly become part of routine cervical cancer screening, either in conjunction with cytology or as primary testing. In this review, we discuss the overall utility and strategies of hr-HPV testing, as well as the advantages and limitations of potential triage strategies for hr-HPV-positive women, including HPV genotyping, p16/Ki-67 dual staining, and methylation assays.

Key message: hr-HPV testing is discussed as primary screening and HPV genotyping, p16/Ki-67 dual staining, and methylation assays are discussed as ancillary techniques to cytology in the triage of hr-HPV-positive women undergoing cervical cancer screening.