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Topic: State of the Art in the Management of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

The role of human papillomavirus in oral

squamous cell carcinoma

Francisco A. Ramírez-Pérez

Department of Oral and Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Infanta Cristina, 06080 Badajoz, Spain.
Correspondence author: Dr. Francisco A. Ramírez-Pérez, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital Infanta
Cristina, Avenida de Elvas s/n, 06080 Badajoz, Spain. Email: francisco_alejandro_1987@hotmail.com

Dr. Francisco A. Ramírez-Pérez, M.D., obtained his Medical Degree at the University of Seville School of
Medicine in Seville, Spain, in 2011. He obtained an UCM Master’s degree in Aesthetic and Anti-Aging Medicine at
Complutense University of Madrid School of Medicine in 2015. He is currently at his four-year Residency of Oral and
Maxillofacial Surgery at the University Hospital Infanta Cristina, Badajoz, Spain. Actually he is University Honorary
Collaborator at the University of Extremadura School of Medicine, Badajoz, Spain.

ABSTRACT
Aim: The causative role of human papillomavirus (HPV) has been established into the aetiology
of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Some authors believe that HPV can determinate the
prognosis and module treatment response from this kind of malignancies. Methods: Articles
published in the last 10 years, focusing on the role of HPV in the development, molecular biology,
prognosis and treatment of OSCC were reviewed. Results: Thirty-nine articles from 252 were
selected, highlighting 4 meta-analysis, 3 prospective and 2 retrospective studies. According to its
role in the development of cervical cancer, HPV is classified into a high risk for malignant lesions
subtype and a low-grade malignant lesions subtype. Epidemiology and prevalence of HPV varies
according to the published data: large studies tend to have lower rates of HPV (< 50%) than
smaller ones (0-100%). Interestingly, HPV+ patients are usually diagnosed at a younger age, mainly
those with oropharyngeal tumours. There is a predilection for the oropharynx and Waldeyer ring
tumours. Regarding prognosis, OSCC HPV+ patients tend to have better outcome and treatment
response. Conclusion: HPV divides OSCC in two types of tumours with different prognostic and
therapeutic implications, with increased survival, better treatment response rates and lower risk of
death and recurrences.

Key words:
Papillomavirus infections; carcinoma squamous cell; mouth

INTRODUCTION established. It is sexually acquired, usually described
[7]
[6]
in the tonsillar area, [8-10] affecting younger, non-drinkers
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most common and non-smokers patients. [11-13] DNA from most oncogenic
malignant lesion of the oral cavity and oropharynx. It risk HPV is detected in approximately 26% of all oral
is characterized by a multifactorial aetiology, [1-5] where This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons
the causative role of papillomavirus (HPV) has been Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 License, which allows others to remix,
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How to cite this article: Ramírez-Pérez FA. The role of human
papillomavirus in oral squamous cell carcinoma. Plast Aesthet
DOI: Res 2016;3:132-41.
10.20517/2347-9264.2016.17
Received: 01-04-2016; Accepted: 17-05-2016
132 © 2016 Plastic and Aesthetic Research | Published by OAE Publishing Inc.