High- and low-risk human papillomavirus prevalence in sinonasal inverted papilloma, a retrospective study

Sinonasal inverted papilloma (SnIP) is a benign but locally aggressive tumor with a high recurrence rates and potential for malignant transformation. Human papillomavirus (HPV) has been suggested as a possible factor, though detection rates vary. This study examined the prevalence of HPV genotypes in SnIP tumor tissues from patients treated at a tertiary hospital in northeastern Mexico. A retrospective analysis of 24 cases from 2014 to 2019 was conducted using formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) specimens. HPV DNA was detected in 37.5 % of specimens, with HPV-18 being the most prevalent genotype (77.8 %), frequently co-occurring with HPV-11 (71.4 %). A significant association was found between high- and low-risk HPV genotypes and tumor stage based on the Krouse classification. The low detection rate suggests that HPV may not play a primary etiological role in SnIP, but further studies are needed to clarify its involvement in SnIP progression.