THE DETECTION OF HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS DEOXYRIBONUCLEIC-ACID IN INTRAEPITHELIAL, IN-SITU, VERRUCOUS AND INVASIVE-CARCINOMA OF THE PENIS

Purpose: We study the prevalence of human papillomavirus deoxyribonucl eic acid (DNA) in squamous cell carcinoma and control tissue of the pe nis. Materials and Methods: The technique of polymerase chain reaction DNA amplification was used to detect specific human papillomavirus DN A sequences in archival pathological and control tissues. We analyzed 42 cases of invasive squamous cell carcinoma, 13 of carcinoma in situ, 12 of penile intraepithelial neoplasia, 3 of verrucous carcinoma and 25 of balanitis xerotica obliterans, as well as 29 routine neonatal ci rcumcision specimens and 32 adult circumcision specimens. Results: Ove rall, the detection rates for human papillomavirus DNA in the study an d control tissues were 55% (23 of 42 cases) for invasive squamous cell carcinoma, 92% (12 of 13) for carcinoma in situ, 92% (11 of 12) for p enile intraepithelial neoplasia, 0% (0 of 3) for verrucous carcinoma, 4% (1 of 25) for balanitis xerotica obliterans, 0% (O of 29) for neona tal circumcision and 9% (3 of 32) for adult circumcision. In all group s human papillomavirus type 16 was the most common genotype identified . Conclusions: The prevalence of human papillomavirus DNA is significa ntly greater in carcinoma of the penis than in control tissue. Moreove r, the prevalence is greater in noninvasive lesions (carcinoma in situ and penile intraepithelial neoplasia) than in invasive carcinoma.