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Updated: May 29, 2026

Chromogenic In Situ Hybridization as a Tool for HPV-Related Head and Neck Cancer Diagnosis
Published on: June 14, 2019
[Update on HPV-induced oropharyngeal cancer]
S F Preuss1, J-P Klussmann, R Semrau
1Klinik und Poliklinik für Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Heilkunde, Kopf-Hals-Chirurgie, Klinikum der Universität zu Köln, Kerpener Str. 62, 50924, Köln, Deutschland. simon.preuss@uni-koeln.de
Abstract:
Oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is associated with oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in 30-40% of all cases in Germany. The use of PCR and / or in situ hybridisation to detect HPV in tumour tissue is used in combination with p16 immunohistochemistry to reliably distinguish HPV-related and HPV-unrelated OSCC. The distinct biological behaviour of the HPV-related subset of OSCC results in a more favourable prognosis. This might be the result of a greater response to chemotherapy and radiotherapy as seen in recent studies. Ongoing and future clinical trials will stratify for HPV status. If the results of these prospective, randomized trials are consistent with the preliminary results of recent studies, HPV status will be of enormous clinical relevance in the future.
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