Human Papillomavirus Subtype 16 and the Pathologic Characteristics of Laryngeal Cancer

OBJECTIVE: Laryngeal cancer is the most common type of cancer in the head and neck. Human papillomavirus (HPV) represents a group of >150 related viruses. Infection with certain types of HPV can cause some types of cancer. This study aimed to evaluate the sociodemographic and histopathologic characters of squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx and its relationship to HPV subtype 16 (HPV-16). STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SETTING: Tertiary university hospitals at 5 districts in Egypt (Minia, Cairo, Giza, Qaluobia, and Bani Seuif). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 50 adult patients with laryngeal cancer who were admitted at 5 tertiary care hospitals in Egypt from January 2014 through December 2014. All patients were subjected to a comprehensive preoperative assessment, histopathologic assessments of tumor biopsies, and immunohistochemical staining for HPV-16. RESULTS: HPV-16 immunostaining was positive in 9 patients (18%). A significant correlation between HPV-16 immunoreactivity and tumor grade (P < .001) was detected, with no significant correlation between HPV-16 immunoreactivity and other clinical and pathologic variables. CONCLUSION: The frequency of HPV-16 in laryngeal carcinoma is 18%, and there is significant correlation between HPV-16 and tumor grade.