OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the prevalence of human papillomavirus(HPV) DNA in oral squamous cell carcinomas(OSCCs) and normal oral mucosa and to correlate the virologic data with other factors obtained from patients' records. METHODS: 113 paraffin embedded tissue blocks including 73 OSCCs and 40 normal oral mucosa were studied by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for HPV type 16 and 18 DNA. Medical records of patients were reviewed to obtained the following factors: age, sex, tobacco and alcohol usage, site of tumor, histologic grade and clinical stage. RESULTS: 74%(54/73) of OSCCs and 55%(22/40) of normal oral mucosa were HPV 16/18 DNA positive. The presence of HPV DNA showed significant difference between OSCCs and normal oral mucosa (P=0.040). Statistical analysis indicated that age (60</=years) and sex (male) were associated with the presence of HPV16/18 DNA in the tumor. There were no significant association between HPV presence and other factors, include tobacco and alcohol usage, site of tumor, histologic grade and clinical stage. CONCLUSION: High risk HPV genotypes have a significant association with oral squamous cell carcinoma. It is a co-factor in oral carcinogenesis, particularly in male patients and patients under the sixth decade. HPV infection in the oral mucosa is common. HPV is not the single etiological factor responsible for human oral neoplasia.
OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the prevalence of human papillomavirus(HPV) DNA in oral squamous cell carcinomas(OSCCs) and normal oral mucosa and to correlate the virologic data with other factors obtained from patients' records. METHODS: 113 paraffin embedded tissue blocks including 73 OSCCs and 40 normal oral mucosa were studied by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for HPV type 16 and 18 DNA. Medical records of patients were reviewed to obtained the following factors: age, sex, tobacco and alcohol usage, site of tumor, histologic grade and clinical stage. RESULTS: 74%(54/73) of OSCCs and 55%(22/40) of normal oral mucosa were HPV 16/18 DNA positive. The presence of HPV DNA showed significant difference between OSCCs and normal oral mucosa (P=0.040). Statistical analysis indicated that age (60</=years) and sex (male) were associated with the presence of HPV16/18 DNA in the tumor. There were no significant association between HPV presence and other factors, include tobacco and alcohol usage, site of tumor, histologic grade and clinical stage. CONCLUSION: High risk HPV genotypes have a significant association with oral squamous cell carcinoma. It is a co-factor in oral carcinogenesis, particularly in male patients and patients under the sixth decade. HPV infection in the oral mucosa is common. HPV is not the single etiological factor responsible for humanoral neoplasia.