title: The incidence of HPV infection in anal cancer patients in Greece.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Although anal cancer represents a relatively uncommon malignancy, its incidence over the last five decades, has been reported as increased for both sexes, worldwide. Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection has been shown to be a major cause for its development. The aim of the present study is to report on clinical, epidemiological and virological data of squamous anal cancer in Greek patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between January 2002 and December 2010, 11 Greek patients (6 females) who were diagnosed as suffering from squamous cell anal or perianal cancer, were treated in our Hospital. Formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissue samples, obtained at the time of the anal biopsy or surgery, were analyzed by PCR in order to identify the presence as well as the type of HPV infection.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, the presence of HPV DNA was detected in 6 out of the 11 patients (54.5%). The "high risk" HPV DNA was detected in 3 of them (2 women and 1 man), while the "low risk" HPV DNA was detected in the remaining three (2 women and 1 man).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The incidence of HPV infection in squamous cell anal cancer Greek patients, is lower than other Western countries, probably reflecting differences in sexual habits in the Greek population.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alexandrou
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Dimitriou
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Levidou
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Griniatsos
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sougioultzis
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Korkolopoulou
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Felekouras
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pikoulis
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Diamantis
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tsigris
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tzivras
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000694:Anal Gland Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D001005:Anus Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece / Q000453:epidemiology; D052162:Human papillomavirus 16 / Q000235:genetics*; D052163:Human papillomavirus 6 / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral