human papillomavirus test
(HYOO-mun PA-pih-LOH-muh-VY-rus …)
A laboratory test in which cells are tested for DNA or RNA from certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV) that are known to cause cervical cancer. These high-risk types of HPV can also cause other types of cancer, including cancers of the anus, vagina, vulva, penis, and oropharynx. A human papillomavirus test may be used alone for cervical cancer screening (also called primary HPV testing), or it can be done at the same time as a Pap test (called cotesting). A human papillomavirus test may also be done after certain abnormal Pap test results. Also called HPV test.