Six European randomized controlled trials that will compare human papillomavirus (HPV) testing with cytology testing for cervical screening are under way. The outcome of HPV testing versus cytology testing depends not only on the relative accuracy of the primary test but also on how radical the different triage procedures are. Two trials have shown a 50% reduction in grade 3 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia detection in subsequent screening rounds. The authors critically discuss the reasons for the different results observed in these trials and the implications for primary screening.
- Elsebeth Lynge
- Matejka Rebolj
