title: HPV- and non-HPV-related subtypes of penile squamous cell carcinoma (SCC): Morphological features and differential diagnosis according to the new WHO classification (2015).
abstract: The majority of penile carcinomas are squamous cell carcinomas originating in the squamous mucosa covering the glans, coronal sulcus, or inner surface of the foreskin, the 3 latter sites comprising the penile anatomical compartments. There is a variegated spectrum of subtypes of penile squamous cell carcinomas according to recent classification schemes. Currently, because of etiological and prognostic considerations, 2 morphologically and molecularly distinctive groups of subtypes of penile SCCs based on the presence of HPV were delineated. The predominant cell composition of tumors associated with HPV is the basaloid cell, which is the hallmark and best tissue marker for the virus. Tumors negative for the virus, however, are preferentially of lower grade and keratinizing maturing neoplasms with the exception of sarcomatoid carcinoma. HPV is detected in research studies by PCR or in situ hybridization (ISH) technologies, but p16 immunohistochemical stain is an adequate and less-expensive surrogate that is useful in the routine practice of pathology. The aim of this review is to demonstrate the variable morphological phenotypic expression of penile tumors separating non-HPV- and HPV-related neoplasms and to add morphological information that will justify subclassifying squamous cell carcinomas in a number of special subtypes. A brief discussion of the differential diagnosis in each category is also provided.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Patología e Investigación, Brizuela 325, Asunción, Paraguay; Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, UNA, Asunción, Paraguay.
authors.forename: Diego F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Sanchez
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Patología e Investigación, Brizuela 325, Asunción, Paraguay.
authors.forename: Sofía
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cañete
authors.affiliation: Facultad Politécnica, UNA, Asunción, Paraguay.
authors.forename: María José
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Fernández-Nestosa
authors.affiliation: University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA.
authors.forename: Cecilia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lezcano
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Patología e Investigación, Brizuela 325, Asunción, Paraguay; Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, UNA, Asunción, Paraguay.
authors.forename: Ingrid
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Rodríguez
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Patología e Investigación, Brizuela 325, Asunción, Paraguay; Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, UNA, Asunción, Paraguay.
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Barreto
authors.affiliation: Hospital de Oncología, CMN, México, México.
authors.forename: Isabel
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Alvarado-Cabrero
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Patología e Investigación, Brizuela 325, Asunción, Paraguay; Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, UNA, Asunción, Paraguay. Electronic address: antoniocubillaramos@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Antonio L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Cubilla
mesh_terms: D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000150:complications; D010412:Penile Neoplasms / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology; D014944:World Health Organization
keywords: HPV infection; Penile carcinoma; Penile neoplasm; Squamous cell carcinoma; Squamous cell carcinoma subtypes