Abstract
The aim of this paper is to define the pre-treatment radiological characteristics of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) using morphological and non-morphological magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), based on HPV status, in a single-institution cohort. In total, 100 patients affected by OPSCC were prospectively enrolled in the present study. All patients underwent 1.5T MR with standard sequences, including diffusion-weighted imaging with and intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM-DWI) technique and a dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI. For all patients, human papillomavirus (HPV) status was available. No statistically significant differences in the volume of primary tumors (PTs) and lymph nodes (LNs) were observed based on HPV status. When comparing the two patient groups, no significant differences were found for the PT radiologic characteristics (presence of well-defined borders, exophytic growth, ulceration, and necrosis) and LN morphology (solid/cystic/necrotic). Tumor subsite, smoking status, and alcohol intake significantly differed based on HPV status, as well as ADC and Dt values of both PTs and LNs. We detected no significant difference in DCE-MRI parameters by HPV status. Based on a multivariate logistic regression model, the combination of clinical factors, such as tumor subsite and alcohol habits, with the perfusion-free diffusion coefficient Dt of LNs, may help to accurately discriminate OPSCC by HPV status.
Highlights
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a common malignant tumor affecting the skin.A peculiar feature of this tumor is the abnormal and quick growth of keratinocytes in the epidermis, often secondary to ultraviolet or sunlight exposure [1]
Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) with ultrasonography, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are the techniques generally used for the local staging of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC), while positron emission tomography (PET)-CT is useful in locally advanced stages and for carcinomas of unknown primary origin [7,8,9,10,11]
100 patients affected by OPSCC, 72 human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive and 28 HPV-negative, were prospectively included in our investigation from January 2016 to September 2019
Summary
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a common malignant tumor affecting the skin. A peculiar feature of this tumor is the abnormal and quick growth of keratinocytes in the epidermis, often secondary to ultraviolet or sunlight exposure [1]. When this tumor involves the head and neck area, it may be aggressive and can account for 4.0/). HPV-related OPSCC has been found to be a separate subtype of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), characterized by peculiar biologic features, clinical course, and response to treatment [4]. Several studies [11,12,13,14] have reported differences in imaging features of OPSCC by HPV status
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