Anita and all --
You have to make sure that they do the correct test -- there are
HPV tests which are non-specific for
HPV-16. Others are not as accurate. Frankly, I would want to have the tumor tissue tested at Hopkins or at a pathology lab that uses the same DNA polymerase test. See this web site for information on having tissue tested. They can even use the original pathology slides if necessary.
http://pathology.jhu.edu/labservices/hpv.cfm Having said this, at the moment
HPV status does not change the treatment protocol (same whether
HPV+ or
HPV-) but does have an effect on prognosis and chance of recurrence.
Gail