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Review
. 2014 Oct;34(5):299-309.

HPV in oropharyngeal cancer: the basics to know in clinical practice

S Elrefaey  1 , M A Massaro  2 , S Chiocca  3 , F Chiesa  2 , M Ansarin  2
Affiliations
Review

HPV in oropharyngeal cancer: the basics to know in clinical practice

S Elrefaey et al. Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital. 2014 Oct.

Abstract
in English, Italian

The incidence of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) is rising in contrast to the decreasing incidence of carcinomas in other subsites of the head and neck, in spite of the reduced prevalence of smoking. Human papilloma virus (HPV) infection, and in particular type 16 (HPV-16), is now recognized as a significant player in the onset of HPV positive OPSCC, with different epidemiological, clinical, anatomical, radiological, behavioural, biological and prognostic characteristics from HPV negative OPSCC. Indeed, the only subsite in the head and neck with a demonstrated aetiological viral link is, at present, the oropharynx. These observations lead to questions regarding management choices for patients based on tumour HPV status with important consequences on treatment, and on the role of vaccines and targeted therapy over the upcoming years.

L'incidenza del carcinoma spinocellulare dell'orofaringe (OPSCC) è in aumento in contrasto con la diminuzione dell'incidenza di carcinomi in altre sedi del distretto cervico-facciale, nonostante la ridotta prevalenza del fumo. L'infezione da Papilloma Virus Umano (HPV), in particolare di tipo 16 (HPV 16), è ora riconosciuto come un importante fattore nell'insorgenza di HPV OPSCC positivo, con diverse caratteristiche radiologiche, epidemiologiche, cliniche, anatomiche, biologiche e prognostiche rispetto all'HPV OPSCC negativo. In effetti l'unica sede del distretto cervico-facciale con un collegamento virale eziologico dimostrato è, attualmente, l'orofaringe. Queste osservazioni portano a domande riguardanti le scelte di gestione per i pazienti in base allo stato del tumore HPV con importanti conseguenze sul trattamento e sul ruolo dei vaccini e terapia mirata per i prossimi anni.

Keywords: Clinical Trial; Head and Neck cancer; Human Papillomavirus; Oropharyngeal cancer; Prevention; Prognosis; Squamous Cell Carcinoma; Treatment; Vaccination.

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