HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS IN PRIMARY EPITHELIAL TUMORS OF THE LACRIMAL SAC

Background: The lacrimal sac epithelium can give rise to benign and ma lignant neoplasms. Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is known to be causal in the development of epithelial neoplasias elsewhere in the b ody. The authors have examined primary lacrimal sac tumors for the pre sence of HPV. Methods: Nine primary lacrimal sac tumors (3 benign papi llomas and 6 carcinomas) submitted to the Eye Pathology Laboratories a t the Wilmer Institute between 1960 and 1991 were examined for the pre sence of HPV sequences by in situ hybridization and the polymerase cha in reaction (PCR). Results: Of the nine tumors, only six were suitable for analysis by PCR or in situ hybridization. All three papillomas we re positive for HPV type 11. Three of the carcinomas were positive for HPV sequences, and one case could be further characterized as HPV typ e 18. Conclusions: Human papillomaviruses appear to be involved in the genesis of both benign and malignant neoplasms of the lacrimal sac ep ithelium. As in the genital tract, HPV type 11 is associated with beni gn lesions, whereas HPV type 18 is associated with malignancy.