Can HPV56 positive heal itself?

HPV stands for human papillomavirus. Many people may not know much about this virus, but when it comes to genital warts and cervical cancer, everyone may have heard of these two diseases, which are caused by human papillomavirus infection. However, a positive HPV56 test does not necessarily mean that you have these two diseases. There are other possibilities. So, can HPV56 positive heal itself? Let’s take a look below.

Some female patients who are HPV56 positive may be able to recover on their own. HPV positive means infection with human papillomavirus. Patients with HPV16, 18, and 31 positive are at high risk of cervical cancer, while patients with HPV56 positive are at low risk of cervical cancer. This type of human papillomavirus sometimes disappears on its own. You can check the cervical cytology test (TCT). If there is no problem with the TCT test, it is just HPV positive with no cytological changes, then there is no need to worry. You can check the HPV again after one year. If there is a problem with the TCT, treatment is needed.

Cervical cancer is the most common gynecological malignancy. The peak age for carcinoma in situ is 30 to 35 years old, and for invasive carcinoma it is 45 to 55 years old. In recent years, the incidence has tended to be younger. The widespread use of cervical cytology screening in recent decades has enabled the early detection and treatment of cervical cancer and precancerous lesions, and the incidence and mortality of cervical cancer have dropped significantly.

Cervical cancer screening

1. Cervical smear cytology examination

It is the main method for cervical cancer screening and samples should be obtained from the cervical transformation zone.

2. Cervical iodine test

The normal squamous epithelium of the cervical vagina is rich in glycogen and appears brown or dark brown after staining with iodine solution. The unstained area indicates that the epithelium lacks glycogen and may have lesions. Taking biopsies from areas that do not stain with iodine can improve the diagnostic yield.

3. Colposcopy

If the cervical smear cytology examination shows Pap smear grade III or above, or TBS classification is squamous intraepithelial neoplasia, cervical biopsy should be performed on the suspected cancerous area under colposcopy.

4. Biopsy of the cervix and endocervical canal

It is a reliable basis for diagnosing cervical cancer and cervical precancerous lesions. The tissue obtained should include interstitial tissue and adjacent normal tissue. If the cervical smear is positive, but the cervix is ​​smooth or the cervical biopsy is negative, use a small curette to scrape the endocervical canal and send the scrapings for pathological examination.

5. Cervical Conization

It is suitable for patients with multiple positive cervical smear tests but negative cervical biopsy; or patients whose cervical biopsy shows cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and need to rule out invasive cancer. Cold knife resection, loop electrosurgical excision or cryoelectric resection can be used.