The Role of HIV in the Progression through the Stages of the Human Papillomavirus to Cervical Cancer Pathway.

Globally, an estimated 36.9 million persons are living with HIV/AIDS, and approximately 291 million women worldwide are carriers of human papillomavirus (HPV). A large number of women currently infected with either or both viruses constitute a large burden on the national health care system. Women with HIV have significantly higher rates of HPV infections than women without HIV. Approximately 77% of women with HIV are carriers of HPV. While research has established a linkage between HIV and progression to cervical cancer in general, there are currently no review articles exploring the role HIV has in the progression from HPV to each stage of carcinogenesis that leads to cervical cancer. The objective of this review is to examine the relationship between HIV and progression from HPV to each stage of carcinogenesis related to cervical cancer. The findings of the review support the conclusion that HIV infection increases the likelihood of progression to each stage of the HPV to cervical cancer pathway.