Human papillomavirus infections and oral tumors

Abstract

In the past 20 years, there has been an increasing interest in human papillomaviruses (HPV) because of their potential role in the pathogenesis of malignant tumors. In 1983, we published the first evidence that HPV might be involved in oral squamous cell carcinomas. The identification of morphological similarities between oral and cervical mucosa lead us to this original proposal. In a recent meta-analysis, HPV was indeed confirmed as an independent risk factor for oral carcinoma. To date, totally more than 100 types of HPV have been identified. As in anogenital cancers, HPV type 16 is the most prevalent type in oral carcinomas. The benign oral lesions, associated with HPV infection, include squamous cell papilloma, condyloma acuminatum, verrucca vulgaris and focal epithelial hyperplasia (FEH). Papillomas and condylomas are mostly caused by HPV type 6 or 11, while oral verrucas are associated with the skin types 2 or 4. A family history of FEH has been suggested. The FEH lesions are caused by HPV types 13 and 32, only detected in oral epithelium. In immunocompromised patients, benign HPV-induced lesions are characterized by atypical morphology and the simultaneous detection of multiple HPV types. Oral benign HPV lesions are mostly asymptomatic, and may persist or regress spontaneously.

Natural history of oral papillomavirus infections in spouses: A prospective Finnish HPV Family Study

“…No such data on oral HPV infections have been elaborated before, and data on these events in the genital tract have emerged only recently (Franco et al, 1999;Giuliano et al, 2002;Syrjänen et al, 2004). The cumulative incidence rate of new oral HR HPV infection in mothers was lower in our study than in studies of cervical HR HPV (Franco et al, 1999;Giuliano et al, 2002;Syrjänen, 2003). Similarly, the clearance rate seems to be higher in cervical than in oral mucosa (Franco et al, 1999;Giuliano et al, 2002).…”

“…Recent meta-analysis and casecontrol studies have confirmed HPV infection as a risk factor for head and neck cancer with odd ratios of 3.7-5.4 Miller and Johnstone, 2001;Herrero et al, 2003). Similar to genital mucosa, HPV is also detected in clinically healthy oral mucosa in 10-13% of the adult population as reported in a meta-analysis or literature survey until 1997 (reviewed in Miller and Johnstone, 2001;Syrjänen, 2003). At least 37 of the 106 different HPV types have been detected in oral mucosa; HPV 16 being the most common type, followed by HPV 6 Syrjänen, 2003;Kreimer et al, 2004;Cañadas et al, 2004).…”

“…Similar to genital mucosa, HPV is also detected in clinically healthy oral mucosa in 10-13% of the adult population as reported in a meta-analysis or literature survey until 1997 (reviewed in Miller and Johnstone, 2001;Syrjänen, 2003). At least 37 of the 106 different HPV types have been detected in oral mucosa; HPV 16 being the most common type, followed by HPV 6 Syrjänen, 2003;Kreimer et al, 2004;Cañadas et al, 2004). The origins of oral HPV infection are not fully elucidated yet.…”

“…In oral mucosa, human papillomavirus (HPV) is associated with several benign lesions including condyloma accuminatum, papilloma, focal epithelial hyperplasia, verruca vulgaris (reviewed in Syrjänen, 2003). In 1983 we showed first evidence that HPV infection might be etiologically related to of oral can- cers (Syrjänen et al, 1983).…”

Oral HPV Infection: Current Strategies for Prevention and Therapy

“…6). These are asymptomatic exophytic growths, single or multiple, with surface smooth or warty, white or pinkish depending on the degree of epithelial keratinization; from the histological point of view are characterized by epithelial polyclonal proliferation, koilocytosis and dyskeratosis [83][84][85]. The lesion may affect any part of the oral surface, more frequently on the tongue, the soft palate and the lips.…”