Multicentricity of Human Papillomavirus Infections in the Female Genital Tract

This study reviews 148 patients colposcoped in 1986 in the practice of the principal investigator. An attempt was made to biopsy the cervix, vagina, and vulva of all patients. Of the total of 148 patients, 11 had prior hysterectomies and 6 others had no biopsies. Of the remaining 131 patients, 82 patients (62.6%) had biopsies of all three areas, 35 (26.7%) had two areas biopsied, and 14 (10.7%) had only one area biopsied. Of the group that had three biopsies, 48.8% demonstrated HPV infection involving the cervix, vagina, and vulva synchronously, 24.4% had HPV infection in two of three areas, and 20.7% had HPV documented in only one area. Of the 35 patients who had only two biopsies performed, results were similar-62.9% had both areas involved, and 25.7% had only one of two area involvement. The total number of patients with HPV infections involving two or more sites was 82, 62.6% of the total of 131 patients evaluated and 70.1% of the patients with two or more biopsies performed. This study confirms the existence of HPV infection as a regional disease.