Frequency and genotype distribution of multiple human papillomavirus infections in cancer of the head and neck in a Mexican population.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and genotype distribution of single and multiple human papillomavirus (HPV) infections in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) in a Mexican population and to assess their associations with smoking and drinking habits and clinicopathologic characteristics.

STUDY DESIGN

A cross-sectional study was performed on a sample of patients diagnosed with HNSCCs. Tumor DNA was amplified using polymerase chain reaction with HPV consensus and multiplex primers. The associations among HPV status, survival, and clinical characteristics were analyzed.

RESULTS

Sixteen of the 43 HNSCCs were HPV positive. HPV16 was the most prevalent type, with single infections present in 5 cases, whereas another 5 cases were combined with HPV56 infection. There was a significant association between HPV infection and oropharyngeal cancers. HPV positivity was associated with overall survival at a nearly significant P level of 0.06.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data support the importance of HPV infection in oropharyngeal cancer, with a trend toward higher survival in HPV-positive cases.