Human papillomavirus and Epstein–Barr virus in nasopharyngeal carcinoma in a low‐incidence population

• DOI: 10.1002/hed.23318
• Publication Date: 2013-06-18T15:06:38Z
• Authors: Snjezana Dogan; Matthew L. Hedberg; Robert L. Ferris; Tanya J. Rath; Adel M. Assaad; Simion I. Chiosea
• Keywords: Adult; Aged, 80 and over; Male; Washington; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections; Herpesvirus 4, Human; Carcinoma; Papillomavirus Infections; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms; Middle Aged; Pennsylvania; 3. Good health; Young Adult; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Prevalence; Humans; Female; Papillomaviridae; Aged

BackgroundThe significance of human papillomavirus (HPV) in nasopharyngeal carcinomas (NPCs) in a low‐incidence population remains unknown.MethodsSamples from 90 patients with NPC (years, 1957–2012) were analyzed for Epstein–Barr virus (EBV). Clinical data, EBV, HPV, and p16 status were correlated with overall survival (OS; 63 cases; years, 1981–2012).ResultsOf 9 HPV‐positive cases, 3 extended from extra‐nasopharyngeal sites. Nasopharyngeal origin was confirmed in 6 cases. HPV‐positive NPC had OS similar to EBV‐positive NPC (85 vs 141 months;p> .05). The OS of patients with EBV/HPV‐negative NPC was worse (34 months;p= .004). Nonkeratinizing histology was associated with better outcome than keratinizing (115 vs 25 months;p= .001). Over the last several decades, the proportion of keratinizing NPC decreased from 34.5% to 14.3% (p= .026).ConclusionThe etiologic role of HPV in NPC is confirmed. The favorable prognostic significance of HPV positivity is similar to that of EBV positivity. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.Head Neck36: 511–516, 2014