Identification and typing of human papillomavirus (HPV) in squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity and oropharynx

Recent epidemiological research has raised the possibility of a connection between viral infection by the human papilloma virus (HPV) and the existenc e of squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity and oroharynx (SCCa). Some 60 subtypes have been identified to date, and specific subtypes are associa ted with lesions or infections at specific tissue sites. Twenty-three patie nts with SCCa of the oral cavity were studied for the presence of HPV in th eir tumours. HPV DNA (all type 16) was isolated from four specimens (17.3 p er cent) using the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) method. The four patient s were all over age 50, and had advanced tumours (two T3 and two T4) that o riginated in the oropharynx. Our data supports other reports in the literat ure, demonstrating the presence of HPV DNA type 16 within cells from oropha ryngeal SCCa. We conclude that the PCR method is a useful and reliable meth od for the detection of HPV DNA within tumour cells.