Intranasal verrucous carcinoma: Relationship to inverting papilloma and human papillomavirus

Objectives: To establish the incidence, appearance, behavior, and appropria te treatment of intranasal verrucous carcinoma and determine its relationsh ip to inverting papilloma and human papillomavirus (HPV), Study Design: Ret rospective review of all cases of intranasal verrucous carcinoma seen at th e Mayo Clinic from 1960 through May 1996. Methods: Retrospective chart revi ew and data collection for age, sex, smoking history, location, association with inverting papilloma, treatment, recurrence, and follow-up. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing for the presence of HPV DNA was performed on all specimens. Results: Of the 13 patients identified, most presented with nasal obstruction (10) or a noticeable intranasal lesion (8), The maxillary sinus was the extranasal site most often involved. Five patients had verru cous cancer develop in an inverting papilloma, and one had squamous cell ca rcinoma with the verrucous component (a hybrid tumor), All but one patient underwent surgery as initial treatment; only one patient had preoperative r adiation therapy. Surgical procedures ranged from local excision to a crani ofacial resection, Follow-up ranged from 2 months to 32 years (mean, 6.5 y) . Four patients had a single recurrence and two tumors recurred a second ti me. No metastases developed and no one died from the tumor. In seven patien ts (10 specimens), DNA was successfully amplified for PCR testing, and no H PV DNA was detected. Conclusions: When verrucous tumors are discovered earl y, they can be treated effectively with wide local excision, In some cases, a more extensive procedure may be required, A possible role for HPV in the etiology of these tumors was not found.