title: Human papillomavirus genotype distribution in tonsil cancers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The incidence of tonsil cancers has increased in several countries. French data on HPV prevalence in tonsil cancers are scarce. The objective of this study was thus to assess the overall and type specific HPV prevalence in tonsil histological samples.
  
  
  METHODS
  This French retrospective multicenter study involved 12 centres located throughout the country. Were included 185 histological samples collected from year 2000 to 2009 with a validated diagnosis of tonsil invasive carcinomas. HPV prevalence was studied according to gender, age and histological type of cancer.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall HPV prevalence was 57% in tonsil cancers. Mean age of diagnosis was comparable in HPV positive tonsils cases (60 ± 11.2) and HPV negative tonsil cases (59 ± 9.6). HPV prevalence was significantly higher in female than in male cases (28/35 versus 78/150 in tonsil cases, respectively, P = 0.003). About 53% of tonsil cases were infected by a single HPV type. Only eight (4%) samples were infected by more than one HPV type. Among HPV positive samples, HPV 16 was found in 89% of tonsil cases. All other HPV types had prevalence below 5%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results indicate that HPV is common in tonsil carcinomas and emphasize the predominant role of HPV 16.
authors.affiliation: Service d'Oto-rhino-laryngologie et chirurgie cervico-faciale, Hôpital Tenon, Université Paris 6 et Faculté de Médecine Pierre-et-Marie Curie, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France. jean.lacau@tnn.aphp.fr
authors.forename: Jean Lacau
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: St Guily
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Clavel
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Okaïs
authors.forename: Jean-Luc
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Prétet
authors.forename: Agnès
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Beby-Defaux
authors.forename: Gérard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Agius
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Birembaut
authors.forename: Anne-Carole
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Jacquard
authors.forename: Yann
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Léocmach
authors.forename: Benoît
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Soubeyrand
authors.forename: Didier
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Riethmuller
authors.forename: François
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Denis
authors.forename: Christiane
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mougin
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D052685:Alphapapillomavirus / Q000235:genetics*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000821:virology*; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D052162:Human papillomavirus 16 / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D052161:Human papillomavirus 18 / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000821:virology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014067:Tonsillar Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000821:virology*