PURPOSE: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma of an unknown primary site (HNSCCUP) is a heterogeneous group of tumors that includes the human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. To investigate the relationship between HNSCCUP and HPV, we reviewed p16 overexpression and HPV DNA in lymph node metastases and examined their correlation with the primary site and clinical features. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-three patients with HNSCCUP were retrospectively studied. Dissected neck metastases were analyzed for p16 overexpression by immunohistochemistry, and the presence of HPV DNA was investigated by in situ hybridization. RESULTS: Of the 33 patients, 8 (24%) exhibited p16 overexpression. p16-positive lymph node metastases contained significantly more HPV DNA and were most frequently associated with occult primary lesions in the oropharynx and a favorable prognosis. Patients with a lower alcohol consumption, only level II/III metastasis, and cystic lymph node metastasis tended to have p16 overexpression. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report on the relationship of HNSCCUP with p16 and HPV DNA status in Asian patients. In total, 24% of the HNSCCUP patients were p16 positive. p16 overexpression in neck metastasis was predictive of both an occult primary lesion in the oropharynx and an association with HPV infection. Alcohol consumption, location, and features of neck metastasis were correlated with p16 expression.
PURPOSE: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma of an unknown primary site (HNSCCUP) is a heterogeneous group of tumors that includes the human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. To investigate the relationship between HNSCCUP and HPV, we reviewed p16 overexpression and HPV DNA in lymph node metastases and examined their correlation with the primary site and clinical features. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-three patients with HNSCCUP were retrospectively studied. Dissected neck metastases were analyzed for p16 overexpression by immunohistochemistry, and the presence of HPV DNA was investigated by in situ hybridization. RESULTS: Of the 33 patients, 8 (24%) exhibited p16 overexpression. p16-positive lymph node metastases contained significantly more HPV DNA and were most frequently associated with occult primary lesions in the oropharynx and a favorable prognosis. Patients with a lower alcohol consumption, only level II/III metastasis, and cystic lymph node metastasis tended to have p16 overexpression. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report on the relationship of HNSCCUP with p16 and HPV DNA status in Asian patients. In total, 24% of the HNSCCUP patients were p16 positive. p16 overexpression in neck metastasis was predictive of both an occult primary lesion in the oropharynx and an association with HPV infection. Alcohol consumption, location, and features of neck metastasis were correlated with p16 expression.
Authors: Matthias Balk; Robin Rupp; Konstantinos Mantsopoulos; Matti Sievert; Magdalena Gostian; Moritz Allner; Philipp Grundtner; Markus Eckstein; Heinrich Iro; Markus Hecht; Antoniu-Oreste Gostian Journal: J Clin Med Date: 2022-05-10 Impact factor: 4.964
Authors: Karolina Dorobisz; Iwona Wlodarska-Polinska; Katarzyna Pazdro-Zastawny; Tomasz Rutkowski; Piotr Palka; Tomasz Dworzecki; Tomasz Zatonski Journal: Cancer Manag Res Date: 2019-07-16 Impact factor: 3.989
Authors: Matthias Balk; Robin Rupp; Konstantin Mantsopoulos; Moritz Allner; Philipp Grundtner; S K Mueller; Maximilian Traxdorf; Markus Eckstein; Stefan Speer; Sabine Semrau; Rainer Fietkau; Heinrich Iro; Markus Hecht; Antoniu-Oreste Gostian Journal: BMC Cancer Date: 2021-11-18 Impact factor: 4.430