Review Article: Relationship of Human Papillomavirus With Papillary Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Upper Aerodigestive Tract: A Review

Abstract

The purpose of this review is to evaluate case reports of papillary squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC) of the upper aerodigestive tract (UADT) to assess its relationship with human papillomavirus (HPV). The medical literature was searched for case reports of this condition. A total of 115 cases of PSCC were found that described the condition in sufficient detail. HPV detection was performed in only 22 of the 115 cases of PSCC (19%), and 11 of the 22 cases (50%) are related to this virus. The majority of cases related to HPV are produced by low-risk HPV type 6 followed by high-risk HPV type 16. Today, the association of HPV with PSCCs seems unclear because in the majority of patients tests were not performed for the detection of the HPV. This association should be clearly established to make a correct diagnosis and propose the best therapeutic strategies, such as new vaccines.

Not Your Usual Cancer Case: Variants of Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

“…It is most common in the larynx, primarily in the glottis [18], with the same demographics as typical laryngeal keratinizing-type SCC. Papillary SCC also occurs in the oropharynx and nasal cavity [19].…”

Papillary Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck

“…Previous studies have found most of these tumors to be laryngeal or sinonasal, the same sites most frequently involved by squamous papillomas, although the tumors have been described throughout the entire UADT. 5,[11][12][13]20,21 Our higher percentage of oropharyngeal tumors may represent either the changing demographics of UADT SCC, our use of biopsy specimens, or our less stringent histologic criteria (we did not use only those tumors that appeared like ''celery cut across the stalk''). Most patients do not have histories of papillomatosis or other benign lesions, and only uncommonly are such lesions identified with the resection specimens.…”

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9] Microscopically, tumors are composed of papillary fronds lined by a predominately nonkeratinizing SCC in situ that seems similar to SCC in situ of the cervix, replete with full-thickness lack of maturation, cellular and nuclear pleomorphism, and abundant mitotic figures. 6,[10][11][12][13][19][20][21] This is in contrast to keratinizing SCC in situ of the UADT that is typically seen with smokingrelated disease.…”

“…19 Infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) has a well-established etiologic role for nonkeratinizing (''basaloid'') SCCs, which typically occur in younger patients and are located in the oropharynx; there has also been speculation regarding the possible role of HPV in papillary SCC. [4][5][6][7][8][9]20,21 In this study, we review a series of papillary SCCs and biopsies interpreted as ''at least papillary SCC'' of the UADT seen at our institution with particular attention to p16 immunohistochemistry and high-risk HPV infection, as well as disease course in this subset of patients.…”

Papillary Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Cheek

“…1 Previous studies have shown that PSCCs are predominantly located on the gingiva and buccal mucosa. It often presents as a solitary lesion with an exophytic or papillary growth pattern.…”