High-risk human papilloma virus testing in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma at a university-based cancer center: A quality improvement project.

Abstract

21 Background: Although traditionally linked to smoking and alcohol, high-risk (HR) human papilloma virus (HPV) associated head and neck cancers are becoming increasingly common in non-smokers. HR HPV causes approx. 70% of all oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (OPSCC) and they have better outcomes when compared with smoking associated OPSCC. An accurate HPV assessment in OPSCC is important due to its relevance in treatment and follow up. This Quality Improvement project was designed to evaluate frequency of HPV testing with p16 immunochemistry (IHC) staining in patients with OPSCC at a University-based cancer center. Methods: All cases diagnosed with OPSCC or those with high suspicion for OPSCC between 2008 and 2017 were obtained from Department of Pathology. Patients with biopsies from sites other than oropharynx as well as those with biopsies performed at outside hospitals were excluded. All pathology reports were reviewed to identifyfrequency of p16 IHC staining. Results: A list of 127 cases was obtained from Pathology. Of these, 26 non-OPSCC and external hospital slides were excluded, making sample size (n) 101. HR HPV testing by p16 IHC staining was performed in 42 of 101 patients (41.5%) and not performed in 59 (58.5%). 38 of 42 patients tested were positive for HR HPV (90.5%). There was an overall upward trend in the frequency of HPV testing over the 10 years. Conclusions: HR HPV testing was done only in 41.5% of eligible patients suggesting a deficiency in testing for this biomarker. Various causes for this lack of testing were identified, most common one being inadequacy of tissue specimen. 90.5% of eligible patients tested were positive for HR-HPV, highlighting the strong association between HPV and OPSCC. Based on importance of testing HR HPV in OPSCC and need for aligning with American Society of Clinical Pathology guidelines, corrective actions were proposed by meeting with pathologists and otolaryngologists.