Head and Neck Cancer Research

Abstract

Background: The Human Papilloma Virus can play a role in the development of head and neck tumors such as oropharyngeal tumors. Nevertheless, a real impact between Human Papilloma Virus and other head and neck sites such as the larynx is not well studied.
Objectives: The aim of the study is to assess the association between the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and laryngeal tumors in a sample of our patients.
Patients and Methods: A prospective, case-control study, in which a random sample of 34 patients who have laryngeal masses. In a period of November 2017 to December 2018 collected from the Department of Otolaryngology, Basra Teaching Hospital. These patients are evaluated by the questionnaire according to gender, age, marital status, full medical history, and examination. A biopsy then is taken for histopathology study to confirm the presence of tumors or other lesions. Malignant tumors are evaluated according to staging and grading systems. All lesions were submitted for the presence of HPV by an Immunohistochemistry (IHC) study. The results evaluated for an association between HPV and type of lesions and other variables. Statistical studies were done using SPSS v.23.
Results: The study reveals that there was HPV infection in 30% of patients' samples. Moreover, HPV was found in 30% of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma and in 30% of benign lesions. Statistical tests show there was no significant association between HPV and Laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.
Conclusion: Although there were thirty percent of patients had HPV infections, there was no significant association between HPV and laryngeal malignant tumors. A larger epidemiologic and more multi-centric, case-control studies with larger samples are mandatory for evaluating the true prevalence of HPV infection in the mucosa of larynx and laryngeal malignancies.