OBJECTIVES: The prevalence of human papillomavirus deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in primary squamous cell carcinoma of the male urethra and corresponding control tissue was studied. METHODS: The technique of polymerase chain reaction DNA amplification was used to detect specific human papillomavirus DNA sequences in archival pathologic and control tissue. We analyzed 16 cases of primary squamous cell carcinoma of the male urethra and 22 specimens of normal male urethra stratified by location within the urethra. RESULTS: Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the pendulous urethra was significantly associated with human papillomavirus type 16 DNA (6 of 6 cases), but the control tissue from the pendulous urethra was not (0 of 12, P < 0.001). Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the bulbous and posterior urethra was not associated with human papillomavirus infection. CONCLUSIONS: Infection of the male urethra with human papillomavirus type 16 may have a role in the pathogenesis of primary squamous cell carcinoma of the pendulous urethra, for which it has a strong predilection, vis-à-vis the bulbous and posterior urethra.
OBJECTIVES: The prevalence of human papillomavirus deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in primary squamous cell carcinoma of the male urethra and corresponding control tissue was studied. METHODS: The technique of polymerase chain reaction DNA amplification was used to detect specific human papillomavirus DNA sequences in archival pathologic and control tissue. We analyzed 16 cases of primary squamous cell carcinoma of the male urethra and 22 specimens of normal male urethra stratified by location within the urethra. RESULTS:Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the pendulous urethra was significantly associated with human papillomavirus type 16 DNA (6 of 6 cases), but the control tissue from the pendulous urethra was not (0 of 12, P < 0.001). Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the bulbous and posterior urethra was not associated with human papillomavirus infection. CONCLUSIONS: Infection of the male urethra with human papillomavirus type 16 may have a role in the pathogenesis of primary squamous cell carcinoma of the pendulous urethra, for which it has a strong predilection, vis-à-vis the bulbous and posterior urethra.