title: Small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the oropharynx harbouring oncogenic HPV-infection.
abstract: Small cell carcinoma/neuroendocrine carcinoma (SCNEC) of the oropharynx is uncommon. Recently, an association has been reported between oropharyngeal SCNEC and high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. While HPV infection confers a better prognosis for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma, HPV infection does not appear to influence the biological behaviour of SCNECs, which are generally associated with poor clinical outcomes. We document two cases of SCNEC arising in the oropharynx with evidence of high-risk HPV infection. The cases highlight the expanding range of malignant oropharyngeal neoplasms that harbour oncogenic HPV infection and support the concept that, irrespective of HPV infection, neuroendocrine differentiation portends a poor prognosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cellular Pathology, Newcastle-upon-Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE7 7DN, UK, timothy.bates@nuth.nhs.uk.
authors.forename: Timothy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bates
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McQueen
authors.forename: Muhammad Shahid
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Iqbal
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.forename: Max
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Robinson
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D018278:Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009959:Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000150:complications*
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor