Human papillomavirus (HPV) type 16 DNA is frequent in invasive cervical cancers. Among 43 patients with invasive cervical cancer, HPV‐16‐positive tumors spread to the parametrial and pelvic lymph nodes significantly more often than did HPV‐16‐negative tumors (P < 0.05). Demonstration of HPV‐16 DNA in invasive cervical cancers may be an additional prognostic factor for this disease. Cancer 1992: 69:2502‐2504.