2010/06/01 by Christel Bræmer Lajer, Christian von Buchwald · 1 citation
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Medicine · #Cancer #Cancer research #Cancer-related molecular mechanisms research #Cervical cancer #Cervical lymph nodes #HPV infection #Head and Neck Cancer Studies #Head and neck cancer #Head and neck squamous-cell carcinoma #Human papillomavirus #Internal medicine #Medicine #Metastasis #Oncology #Viral-associated cancers and disorders
paper · pdf · doi:10.1111/j.1600-0463.2010.02624.x
openalex publication_date 2010/06/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/15
Over the last 20 years, there has been increasing awareness of a subset of squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck (HNSCC), i.e. HPV-positive HNSCC. These cancers seem to differ somewhat from HPV-negative HNSCC. Patients with HPV-positive HNSCC tend to be younger and have a lower intake of tobacco and alcohol. Distinct molecular profiles separate them from HPV-negative cancers and show similarities with HPV-positive cervical SCC. There is evidence that HPV-positive HNSCC is a sexually transmitted disease. Patients with HPV-positive HNSCC are often diagnosed at a late stage with large cystic lymph nodes in the neck. HPV-positive HNSCC show an affinity for the oropharynx, especially the tonsils and the base of the tongue, and tend to show low differentiation histopathologically. There is a better prognosis regardless of the treatment regimen for HPV-positive HNSCC compared with HPV-negative HNSCC, and this seems to be related to the immune system. Whether the new vaccines for HPV will protect not only against cervical cancer but also against HPV-positive HNSCC remains unknown.