Langerhans cells and human papillomaviruses in oesophageal and laryngeal carcinomas.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is implicated in squamous cell carcinogenesis. Oesophageal carcinoma has a high incidence in certain geographical regions and, using different methods of detection, HPVs have been found in these tumours. HPV 6 and 11 are frequently detected in laryngeal papillomas, benign lesions which rarely become malignant. HPVs have been detected in squamous carcinoma of the larynx but more frequently, especially HPV 16, in verrucous carcinomas a distinct variant of squamous carcinoma. An increased density of Langerhans cells, important in immunosurveillance in squamous epithelium, has been associated with a more favourable patient prognosis in laryngeal and other carcinomas.