Korean J Pathol.  2010 Oct;44(5):483-487.

HPV Genotyping in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Upper Aerodigestive Tract

• Kim Y
• Jeong EH
• Min BW
• Kim SS
• Choi YD
• Jung WJ
• Nam JH
• Park CS

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Smoking and alcohol consumption are the main risk factors for squamous cell carcinoma of the upper aerodigestive tract (SCCUAT). However, human papillomavirus (HPV) has been etiologically linked with tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC). Therefore, we investigated the etiologic role of HPV in the context of SCCUAT in Korea.
METHODS
Archival paraffin block samples from 136 cases previously diagnosed as SCCUAT were randomly selected. A commercial HPV DNA chip was used for HPV genotyping.
RESULTS
One hundred and seventeen cases were available after checking beta-globin (47 cases of tonsil and 70 of non-tonsil). A HPV-positive result (HPV 16 and 18) occurred in 13 cases of SCCUAT, and 12 cases were tonsil (25.5%, 12/47). Among the 12 HPV-positive patients with TSCC, nine were non-smokers and non-drinkers. Most HPV-negative patients with TSCC had a history of alcohol drinking and smoking (32/35, 91.4%). HPV infection status was not significantly associated with histological grade, clinical stage, or survival in patients with TSCC.
CONCLUSIONS
HPV infection was significantly higher in patients with TSCC among those with SCCUAT. HPV may be independent risk factor in development of TSCC, such as smoking and alcohol drinking.

Keyword

Carcinoma; HPV; Tonsil

MeSH Terms

Alcohol Drinking
beta-Globins
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell
Humans
Korea
Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis
Palatine Tonsil
Paraffin
Risk Factors
Smoke
Smoking
Paraffin
Smoke
beta-Globins