Prevalence and characteristics of HPV infection in oropharyngeal cancer.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this prospective study was to analyze the human papillomavirus (HPV) infection status and its impact on the outcome in a consecutive series of patients affected by oropharyngeal cancer.


METHODS
The specimens of consecutive subjects surgically treated for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma were obtained. Samples were collected by broom-type cell sampling devices and they underwent the Roche Linear Array HPV Genotyping Test to identify the presence of HPV types.


RESULTS
In all, 52 patients were enrolled. The presence of HPV was detected in 13 samples, with HPV type 16 as the most frequently encountered type. Statistically significant associations were found between HPV-positive patients and a higher tumor grading (P < 0.05), and between HPV-positive patients and a higher number of negative prognostic factors (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
A subset of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas with a higher tumor grading is strongly linked to HPV16 infection.
Division of Otorhinolaryngology, Ospedale Umberto I, Turin, Italy.
Antonella
A
De Stefani
Paolo
P
Boffano
Gianluca
G
Averono
Angela
A
Ramella
Francesco
F
Pia
Guido
G
Bongioannini
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery / Q000821:virology*; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D052162:Human papillomavirus 16 / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009959:Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery / Q000821:virology*; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000821:virology*; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies