Human papilloma virus (HPV) infection as an etiological factor in malignant sinonasal neoplasms and nasopharyngeal carcinomas: A pathologist’s perspective

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Original Article

Author Details : Carol Fernandes, Farhana Zakaria*

Volume : 6, Issue : 2, Year : 2019

Article Page : 227-232

https://doi.org/10.18231/j.ijpo.2019.044

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Abstract

Introduction: Role of Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection as an etiological agent in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) of type III and type II is well known. But there are not many studies showing association between NPCs and human papilloma virus (HPV). We undertook this study to identify the relationship between HPV and NPCs by histopathology & immunohistochemistry by using HPV antibodies against HPV types 6, 11 and 18.
Objectives: To identify the rate of HPV infection in malignant sinonasal tumours and nasopharyngeal carcinomas (NPCs) by using histopathology and immunohistochemistry (IHC).
Materials and Methods: 21 samples from patients with histopathologically confirmed malignant sino nasal tumours and NPCs were studied. Twelve samples were arising from nasopharynx and nine from nasal cavity. Tumours were classified histopathologically according to WHO criteria. Findings of HPV infection like koilocytic changes and HPV antigen positivity by IHC were noted in all the samples.
Results: Moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma was commonest of the malignant nasopharyngeal tumours which comprised of 38.09% followed by undifferentiated carcinomas 19.04%, poorly differentiating carcinomas 14.2%, inverted papilloma with carcinoma and adenoid cystic carcinoma 9.6% each and 4.8% each of acinic cell carcinoma and sarcomatoid carcinoma. HPV involvement was seen in 47.61% of cases.
Conclusion: HPV infection was identified in 75% of moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinomas and 33.3% cases of poorly to undifferentiated cases of NPC.

Keywords: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma, Papilloma, Human papilloma virus, Immunohistochemistry.

How to cite : Fernandes C, Zakaria F, Human papilloma virus (HPV) infection as an etiological factor in malignant sinonasal neoplasms and nasopharyngeal carcinomas: A pathologist’s perspective. Indian J Pathol Oncol 2019;6(2):227-232

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