Definition

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. An HPV 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). An HPV test may also be done after certain abnormal Pap test results. Also called human papillomavirus test.