Abstract
Objectives:The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and genotype of human papillomavirus (HPV) infections in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) and benign head and neck tumours.Methodology:A retrospective study was performed on 150 samples of patients diagnosed with HNSCCs and 50 samples obtained from patients diagnosed with benign head and neck tumours. Tumour DNA was amplified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with HPV consensus and multiplex primers.Results:Six of the 150 (4%) HNSCCs were HPV positive. HPV16 was the most prevalent type, with single infections present in 3/6 (50%) cases, whereas HPV18 and HPV33 were detected in 2/6 (33%) and 1/6 (17%), respectively. HPV infections were detected in 3 (50%) cases of oral cavity and 3 (50%) cases of pharynx.Conclusions:There was a significant association between HPV infection and HNSCCs (P < 0.05). The present data support the importance of HPV infection in oral and larynx tumours.
Highlights
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the seventh most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide [1] and is associated with survival rates
human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is emerging as an important risk factor for several HNSCCs
Previous studies have shown that patients with HPV positive tumours benefit from a better overall disease-specific survival than patients with HPV-negative tumours [12]
Summary
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the seventh most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide [1] and is associated with survival rates. In North America and Europe, HNC accounts for 3–4% of all cancer diagnoses. In Southeast Asia and Africa, HNC accounts for approximately 8–10% of all cancers [2]. HNC has traditionally been linked to alcohol and tobacco abuse [3]. 15–20% of HNC cases have no known tobacco or alcohol exposure [4, 5], other agents, such as viruses, are being investigated. It is evident that a significant proportion of HNSCCs are caused by HPV [6]. High-risk HPV subtype 16 accounts for more than 85% of all HPV-positive (HPV+) tumours in HNSCC [7]. Patients with HPV-positive HNSCC had a lower risk of dying and a lower risk of recurrence than HPV-negative HNSCC patients [8]
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