Detection ofHPV-16DNA byPCRin histologically cancerfree lymphnodesfrom patients withcervical cancer

The prognostic valueof detection of human papillomavirus (HPV)type16 DNA inhistologically cancerfreelymph nodeswasassessed inleft obturator lymph nodesfromcervical cancerpatients with HPV-16 positiveprimarytumours. HPV-16DNA wasdetected bypolymerase chainreaction in12of35patients with histologically cancerfreelymphnodes. Of these12patients, onlyonedeveloped a recurrence, suggesting HPV-16DNA detection incancerfreelymphnodeshasno prognostic value. (7Clin Pathol 1997;50:960-96 1)