Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) in Sinonasal Papillomas and Squamous Cell Carcinomas: A PCR-based Study of 60 cases

This study was carried out to observe the association of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) with papillomas and squamous cell carcinomas of the sinonasal region. The present study was a hospital-based study conducted over a period of three years from May, 2014 to May, 2017 in the Department of Pathology, Government Medical College, Srinagar. A total of 196 cases of non-neoplastic and neoplastic lesions of nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses were observed during the study period. Out of total 196 cases, 102 were non-neoplastic and 94 were neoplastic. Of the 94 neoplastic lesions, 58 were benign and 36 were malignant. A total of 60 cases which included 38(63.33%) inverted papillomas, 12(20%) exophytic papillomas and 10 (16.66%) squamous cell carcinomas were included in the present study for HPV association. We studied the association of HPV with sinonasal papillomas and squamous cell carcinomas by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). HPV positivity was seen in 5(13.16%) out of 38 cases of inverted papillomas, whereas 4 out of 12(33.33%) exophytic papillomas tested positive for HPV. Out of 10 squamous cell carcinomas HPV positivity was seen in 2(20%) cases. Low risk HPV types 6 and 11 showed an association with sinonasal papillomas and oncogenic HPV types 16 and 18 with squamous cell carcinomas.