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Updated: Jun 4, 2026
10:26
RNAscope for In situ Detection of Transcriptionally Active Human Papillomavirus in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Published on: March 11, 2014
Human papillomavirus genotype distribution in tonsil cancers
Jean Lacau St Guily1, Christine Clavel, Claire Okaïs
1Service d'Oto-rhino-laryngologie et chirurgie cervico-faciale, Hôpital Tenon, Université Paris 6 et Faculté de Médecine Pierre-et-Marie Curie, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France. jean.lacau@tnn.aphp.fr
Head & Neck Oncology
|February 9, 2011
Summary
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is common in tonsil cancers, with HPV 16 being the predominant type. This study assessed HPV prevalence in French tonsil cancer histological samples.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Virology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Rising incidence of tonsil cancers globally.
- Limited French data on HPV prevalence in tonsil cancers.
- Need to assess HPV's role in French tonsil carcinomas.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the overall and type-specific prevalence of HPV in tonsil cancer histological samples in France.
- To analyze HPV prevalence based on gender, age, and cancer histology.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective multicenter study across 12 French centers.
- Inclusion of 185 tonsil invasive carcinoma histological samples (2000-2009).
- Analysis of HPV prevalence, considering demographic and histological factors.
Main Results:
- Overall HPV prevalence was 57% in tonsil cancers.
- HPV prevalence was significantly higher in females (P = 0.003).
- HPV 16 was detected in 89% of HPV-positive cases; single infections were common.
Conclusions:
- HPV is highly prevalent in French tonsil carcinomas.
- HPV 16 plays a dominant role in tonsil cancer etiology.
- Findings highlight HPV's significance in tonsil cancer epidemiology.
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