Researchers have developed a highly accurate urine test for the likely emergence of aggressive cervical cancer — much more accurate than the current painful biopsy of cervical tissue.

The test examines DNA changes from precancer and also DNA from HPV, which is almost always present in cases of cervical cancer. Researchers, who said their test has an accuracy rate of 91 percent, reported their results online, at Cancer Prevention Research. Their test identified cervical lesions with abnormal cells likely to develop into cancer and likely to spread. The team also showed that the DNA for the human genes and the one viral gene could be detected easily in urine.

The new test could rule out many invasive biopsies from cervical tissue. Some studies have shown that up to 50 percent of these painful procedures are unnecessary and could even result in infertility.

"If further studies confirm these findings, we see a significant use of urine screening as a way to quickly and inexpensively determine if a biopsy is warranted, or if physicians can use a watch and wait approach before intervening," said senior investigator Dr. Rafael Guerrero-Preston, assistant professor of otolaryngology, head and neck surgery, at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and member of the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center.