Human papillomavirus and the risk of cervical cancer.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is now recognized as the driving force behind the dysregulation of the cell cycle that underlies cervical malignant transformation. Although nearly all cervical cancers contain HPV genomes, the vast majority of HPVs are not oncogenic but merely induce benign lesions. Because progressive abnormalities take at least a decade to develop into invasive cancers, young women with low-grade lesions can often be managed with watchful waiting rather than ablative therapy.