Abstract
The association of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection to head and neck squamous cell carcinomas was evaluated in 66 patients affected by tumours of the oral cavity (n = 38), the tonsil (n = 4), the pharynx (n = 2), and the larynx (n = 22). HPV DNA was detected by PCR-based assays, recognizing late and early genes. Twenty-four cases were HPV infected (36.4%), mostly by high and/or intermediate risk types. HPV 16 was integrated in 7/12 positive tumours without site-specificity. HPV infection was not related to age, gender, tumour stage, differentiation grade, and use of alcohol and/or tobacco. The findings indicate that HPV infection may be related to a proportion of head and neck carcinomas but its association is not as clear as that found in cervical cancer.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Adult
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Aged
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Alcohol Drinking
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Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / complications
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Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / epidemiology
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Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology
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Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / virology*
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DNA, Viral / analysis
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Female
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Head and Neck Neoplasms / complications
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Head and Neck Neoplasms / epidemiology
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Head and Neck Neoplasms / pathology
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Head and Neck Neoplasms / virology*
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Humans
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Laryngeal Neoplasms / complications
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Laryngeal Neoplasms / virology
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Male
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Middle Aged
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Mouth Neoplasms / complications
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Mouth Neoplasms / virology
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Papillomaviridae / isolation & purification*
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Papillomavirus Infections / complications
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Papillomavirus Infections / diagnosis*
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Papillomavirus Infections / epidemiology
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Pharyngeal Neoplasms / complications
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Pharyngeal Neoplasms / virology
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Polymerase Chain Reaction
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Prevalence
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Risk Factors
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Smoking
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Tonsillar Neoplasms / complications
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Tonsillar Neoplasms / virology
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Tumor Virus Infections / complications
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Tumor Virus Infections / diagnosis*
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Tumor Virus Infections / epidemiology