CORRELATION BETWEEN HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS INFECTION AND CLINICOPATHOLOGICAL PARAMETERS IN ANAL-CANAL CARCINOMA

We evaluated human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA in 17 anal canal tumors an d its correlation with symptomatology, tumor extension and prognosis. Five squamous carcinomas and 4 cloacogenic tumors resulted HPV+. Stati stical analysis showed no correlation between HPV infection and tumor morphology, lymph node involvement or prognosis, and no significant di fference in the duration of symptoms between HPV+ and HPV- patients. H PV are involved in the pathogenesis of the tumors, but are not respons ible for an increased neoplastic malignancy. Anoscopy with brushing or biopsy is a suitable screening method to identify HPV.