IHC, HPV Test

A human papillomavirus (HPV) test is done to check for a high-risk HPV infection in women. HPV is a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is the methodology performed for the test hence the name IHC-HPV. An HPV test checks for the genetic material (DNA) of the human papillomavirus on the sample cells collected from the cervix (The cervix is a cylinder-shaped neck of tissue that connects the vagina and uterus). Although HPV can occur both to men and women, the test is only performed on women. There are many types of HPVs. HPV type 6 and 11 are associated with relatively benign diseases such as genital warts; however, HPV type 16 and 18 are strongly associated with cervical, vaginal and vulvar malignancies causing fatal cancer. An HPV test can look for one or more types of high-risk HPV. If the high-risk type HPV is detected in the test, further testing such as colonoscopy or cervical biopsy may be recommended.

The patients are advised not to douche, use tampons or use vaginal medicines for at least 48 hours. You will be asked to empty your bladder just before the test for your own comfort level during the test. You need to remove your clothes below the waist and cover it with a cloth or paper. You are then told to lie on your back on the examination table with your feet raised and supported by stirrups. The test can be performed by a gynecologist, a urologist, a physician assistant or a family physician.

Abnormal test results may indicate a high-risk HPV. It may indicate the patient having precancerous cervical cells. In that case, the patient might be recommended to go through colonoscopy or biopsy as advised by the doctor.

Your health assistant will insert an instrument called speculum into your vagina He/she will then use a cotton swab or small brush to collect several samples of cells from the cervix The sample cells are collected both from the visible part as well from the inside of the cervix The samples are later placed in a collection tube and sent for analysis