Absence of human papilloma virus DNA in oropharyngeal spindle-cell squamous carcinomas

The presence of human papilloma virus (HPV) DNA in verrucous carcinomas and some squamous-cell carcinomas (SCC) of the oropharynx suggests a role for the virus in their pathogenesis. Spindle-cell squamous carcinoma is an uncommon variant of oropharyngeal SCC. Its association with the HPV has not been reported. In situ and dot blot hybridization, using biotinylated probes to HPV 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, and 35, failed to detect HPV DNA in nine studied cases of spindle-cell squamous carcinoma, as did polymerase chain reaction amplification, using a general HPV primer and type specific primers for HPV 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, and 33. Similar to previous studies, all patients were tobacco users, many were alcohol abusers, and six had a remote history of irradiation to the area. These factors, rather than the HPV, appear to have a more significant role in the development of this specific neoplasm.