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papillary squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck
Sunday 13 September 2009
Definition: Papillary squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is an uncommon variant of SCC in the upper aerodigestive tract. It is most frequently located in the larynx, oropharynx, and sinonasal tract, and is more common in older men.
Because of its complex exophytic papillary architecture, histologic assessment of underlying invasion can be challenging. Risk factors and pathogenesis are unclear.
As with other HPV-associated SCCs of the upper aerodigestive tract, the majority of HPV-associated papillary SCCs are oropharyngeal (base of tongue and palatine tonsils), although both sinonasal and laryngeal tumors were also associated with infection (67% and 33% of cases, respectively).
Given the better prognosis of HPV-associated SCCs of the upper aerodigestive tract, it may be prudent to report the p16 and HPV status of these tumors when they are encountered.
Transcriptionally active HPV was present in 53.4% oftumors. (23797720)
The majority of tumors harboring transcriptionally active HPV arose in the oropharynx, showed nonkeratinizing morphology, were p16 positive, and p53 negative. (23797720)
Transcriptionally active HPV is also present in many laryngeal and oral cavity PSCCs. (23797720)
Overall survival, disease-specific survival, and disease-free survival are favorable and do not significantly differ by anatomic subsite. (23797720)
HPV-related tumors showed a trend toward better survival.(23797720)
See also
HPV-associated squamous cell carcinoma of the upper aerodigestive tract
References
Papillary Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck: Clinicopathologic and Molecular Features With Special Reference to Human Papillomavirus. Mehrad M, Carpenter DH, Chernock RD, Wang H, Ma XJ, Luo Y, Luo J, Lewis JS Jr, El-Mofty SK. Am J Surg Pathol. 2013 Jun 20. PMID: 23797720
Human papillomavirus-associated squamous cell carcinoma of the upper aerodigestive tract. Stelow EB, Jo VY, Stoler MH, Mills SE. Am J Surg Pathol. 2010 Jul;34(7):e15-24. PMID: 20534998
Papillary Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck: Frequent Association With Human Papillomavirus Infection and Invasive Carcinoma. Jo VY, Mills SE, Stoler MH, Stelow EB. Am J Surg Pathol. 2009 Sep 9. PMID: 19745700