Certified Tumor Registrar (CTR) Practice Exam

Human papilloma virus is a causal agent linked to cancer in which area of the body?

1. Ovary

2. Uterine cervix

3. Vulva

4. Breast

The correct answer is: Uterine cervix

Human papilloma virus (HPV) is primarily recognized as a causal agent of cervical cancer, making the uterine cervix the area of the body most directly associated with HPV-related malignancies. HPV is a group of viruses, some strains of which are considered high-risk types due to their ability to induce cellular changes that can lead to cervical dysplasia and consequently, cervical cancer if left untreated. The connection between HPV and cervix cancer is well-established through research and epidemiological studies, which have demonstrated that persistent infection with high-risk HPV types is a key factor in the development of cervical cancer. While HPV can also be linked to cancers in other areas such as the vulva and the oropharynx, the strongest and most documented association resides with the uterine cervix, thus underscoring its significance as a primary site where HPV acts as a causal agent in cancer development.