(2022) 22:776 He et al BMC Cancer https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-022-09826-4 Open Access RESEARCH The value of HPV genotypes combined with clinical indicators in the classification of cervical squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma Zhimin He1,2, Rongsheng Chen3, Shangying Hu4, Yajiao Zhang5, Yang Liu1,2,3, Chengwei Li1,2, Fajin Lv1,2,3,6* and Zhibo Xiao3* Abstract Background: To investigate the differences in HPV genotypes and clinical indicators between cervical squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma and to identify independent predictors for differentiating cervical squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma Methods: A total of 319 patients with cervical cancer, including 238 patients with squamous cell carcinoma and 81 patients with adenocarcinoma, were retrospectively analysed The clinical characteristics and laboratory indicators, including HPV genotypes, SCCAg, CA125, CA19-9, CYFRA 21–1 and parity, were analysed by univariate and multivariate analyses, and a classification model for cervical squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma was established The model was validated in 96 patients with cervical cancer Results: There were significant differences in SCCAg, CA125, CA19-9, CYFRA 21–1, HPV genotypes and clinical symptoms between cervical squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma (P