FREQUENCY OF HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS (HPV) WITH HEAD AND NECK CANCER: A SINGLE ONCOLOGY CENTER EXPERIENCE FROM KARACHI, PAKISTAN

Abstract

Background: The global incidence of head and neck cancer (HNC) is escalating. This research aimed to analyze the prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) in patients suffering from HNC.

Material and Methods: We conducted a forward-looking observational study at the Department of Medical Oncology, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center, Karachi, Pakistan, from January through September 2021. The study included patients above 15 years old, of any gender, with a confirmed diagnosis of HNC. HPV presence was determined via Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) for each patient. Socio-demographic data was collected using a pre-established proforma, and data analysis was executed using SPSS version 23.

Results: A total of 305 patients with HCNs were included. The mean age of patients was 46.46±12.58 years. The most common site of HNCs was found to be oral cavity (82%) and squamous cell carcinoma was the most common histological type (94.1%). Of 305 HNCs, 134 had tumor size of T3, 200 had nodal status of N1, 263 had grade II and only had metastasis (2.3%). Out of 305 patients with HNCs, 39 cases were found to be HPV positive. Statistically significant differences were observed between HPV and gender (p=0.048), naswar (p=0.018), betel nut consumption (p=0.020) and site of tumor (p=0.038).

Conclusion: The presence of HPV presents distinctive HNC characteristics and may serve as a survival indicator for these types of malignancies. Given the inherent genetic and socio-demographic disparities, along with differences in sexual behaviors and harmful lifestyle habits, the need for sex and race-specific clinical trials for HNC treatment is becoming increasingly evident.

Key Words: Cancer, Head and neck cancer, Human papillomavirus, Oral cavity cancer