Cervical cancer risk and high-risk HPV types distribution in Saudi Arabia: Trends from a national laboratory-based study

Authors

• Hamsa J. Banjer, From the Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences (Banjer, Alzahrani), College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University, Department of Histopathology (Alsufiani), King Faisal Medical Complex, Taif. From the Nanomedicine Unit (Tayeb), Center of Innovation in Personalized Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah. From the Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences (Tayeb), Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah. From the Department of Pathology (Alrowaihi), Al Borg Medical Laboratories, Al Borg Diagnostics, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
• Hossam H. Tayeb, From the Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences (Banjer, Alzahrani), College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University, Department of Histopathology (Alsufiani), King Faisal Medical Complex, Taif. From the Nanomedicine Unit (Tayeb), Center of Innovation in Personalized Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah. From the Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences (Tayeb), Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah. From the Department of Pathology (Alrowaihi), Al Borg Medical Laboratories, Al Borg Diagnostics, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
• Khalid J. Alzahrani, From the Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences (Banjer, Alzahrani), College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University, Department of Histopathology (Alsufiani), King Faisal Medical Complex, Taif. From the Nanomedicine Unit (Tayeb), Center of Innovation in Personalized Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah. From the Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences (Tayeb), Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah. From the Department of Pathology (Alrowaihi), Al Borg Medical Laboratories, Al Borg Diagnostics, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
• Salha M. Alsufiani, From the Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences (Banjer, Alzahrani), College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University, Department of Histopathology (Alsufiani), King Faisal Medical Complex, Taif. From the Nanomedicine Unit (Tayeb), Center of Innovation in Personalized Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah. From the Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences (Tayeb), Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah. From the Department of Pathology (Alrowaihi), Al Borg Medical Laboratories, Al Borg Diagnostics, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
• Jamal M. Alrowaihi, From the Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences (Banjer, Alzahrani), College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University, Department of Histopathology (Alsufiani), King Faisal Medical Complex, Taif. From the Nanomedicine Unit (Tayeb), Center of Innovation in Personalized Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah. From the Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences (Tayeb), Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah. From the Department of Pathology (Alrowaihi), Al Borg Medical Laboratories, Al Borg Diagnostics, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objectives: To examine the distribution of human papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes, regional trends, and cytological abnormalities in Saudi Arabia. The findings aim to inform effective cervical cancer prevention strategies. High-risk HPV infections is the leading cause of cervical cancer. Methods: A retrospective, national laboratory-based study was conducted between 2016 and 2024, analyzing 9,096 medical records. Of these patients, 6,005 underwent co-testing of HPV DNA and cytology-based screening, and 3,091 underwent only cytology-based screening. The HPV genotype distribution, temporal trends, and geographic variations were evaluated. Results: The HPV positivity rate was 13.84%, with HPV-16 accounting for 25.11% and HPV-18 for 7.55% of cases, while 67.34% of the infections were due to other high-risk strains. The HPV positivity peaked in the 30–39 age group (44.9%) and increased from 5.62% in 2016 to 13.33% in 2024. Jeddah (33.7%) and Riyadh (32.25%) had the highest HPV positivity rates. Among the evaluated cytology samples, 13.41% had precancerous lesions, and 0.64% had cancerous lesions. Notably, 19.37% of HPV-positive cases had normal cytological profiles, reinforcing the importance of co-testing HPV DNA and cytology tests. Conclusion: This study reveals significant age and regional disparities in HPV prevalence in Saudi Arabia, with a predominance of non-16/18 genotypes. Broad vaccine coverage, genotype surveillance, and regionally adapted screening strategies are essential to reduce cervical cancer burden.

Article Type

Research Article

First Page

992

Last Page

999

Recommended Citation

Banjer, Hamsa J.; Tayeb, Hossam H.; Alzahrani, Khalid J.; Alsufiani, Salha M.; and Alrowaihi, Jamal M. (2025) "Cervical cancer risk and high-risk HPV types distribution in Saudi Arabia: Trends from a national laboratory-based study," Saudi Medical Journal: Vol. 46: Iss. 9, Article 5.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15537/smj.2025.46.9.20250266