title: Prevalence of human papillomavirus type 16-related DNA in cutaneous Bowen's disease and squamous cell cancer.
abstract: Human papillomavirus (HPV) type 16 and related types are frequently found in genital located Bowen's disease but they are only rarely identified in non-genital cutaneous Bowen's disease and squamous cell cancer (SCC). We used the polymerase chain reaction to detect HPV 16 and related DNA sequences in 205 formalin-fixed non-genital cutaneous Bowen's disease and SCC specimens from 159 non-immunosuppressed patients. HPV 16 and related DNA sequences could be detected in 12 of 198 cutaneous specimens from extra-genital sites other than the fingers and in 2 of 7 specimens from digital lesions. Our study suggests a minor but still not negligible role of HPV 16 and related HPV-types in the etiology of non-genital non-melanoma skin cancer of the general population.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rubben
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Baron
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Grussendorfconen