A high and increasing HPV prevalence in tonsillar cancers in Eastern Denmark, 2000–2010: The largest registry‐based study to date

Abstract

The aim was to explore whether the incidence of tonsillar squamous cell carcinomas (TSCCs) increased in Eastern Denmark, 2000-2010, and whether human papillomavirus (HPV) could explain the increase, and to assess the association of HPV prevalence with gender, age, and origin (i.e., the certainty of tonsillar tumor origin). We applied HPV DNA PCR and p16 immunohistochemistry to all TSCCs registered in the Danish Head and Neck Cancer Group (DAHANCA) and in the Danish Pathology Data Bank (n 5 632). Pathologists reviewed and subdivided the tumors into two groups: specified and nonspecified TSCCs. Approximately 10% of HPV-positive tumors was genotyped by amplicon next-generation sequencing. The overall crude incidence of TSCCs increased significantly (2.7% per year) and was explained by an increasing incidence of HPV-positive TSCCs (4.9% per year). The overall HPV prevalence was 58%, with HPV16 being the predominant HPV type. In multivariate analysis, the HPV prevalence was associated with age (<55 vs. >60 years) (OR, 1.72; 95% CI 1.13-2.63) and origin (nonspecified vs. specified

Trends in all-cause five-year mortality after head and neck cancers diagnosed over a period of 33 years. Focus on estimated degree of association with human papillomavirus

“…This was most recently documented in two large Danish studies, which showed increasing proportions of HPV-positive tonsillar carcinoma and carcinomas at the base of the tongue between 2000 and 2010 (estimated annual percentage change 4.9% and 8.1%, respectively) [4,5]. If this increase in HPV prevalence has been higher among men than women and among younger than older individuals, it would support our finding of a greater decrease in mortality among male patients and younger patients with strongly HPV-associated HNSCC.…”

“…The known risk factors for HNC include tobacco smoking, alcohol drinking, and certain viruses, such as the Epstein-Barr virus and human papillomavirus (HPV) [1,2]. Increase in exposure to HPV over the past few decades have been shown to influence the incidence of certain HNSCCs with significant increases of some HNSCCs, such as those of the oropharynx, especially the tonsil and base of the tongue [3][4][5]. In Denmark, an overall increase in the incidence of HNSCC has been reported, due primarily to an increased incidence of cancers at sites reported to be associated with HPV [3].…”

Diagnosis of HPV-driven head and neck cancer with a single test in routine clinical practice

“…16,17 These tumors represent a distinct subgroup within head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, which are traditionally related to tobacco and alcohol abuse, and have a clearly favorable prognosis. 18,19 These differences should lead to tailored medical care in the coming years.…”

Human Papilloma Virus in Oral Cavity Cancer and Relation to Change in Quality of Life Following Treatment—a Pilot Study from Northern India

“…Patients with HPV-positive HNC in general tend to be younger (<50 years) at time of diagnosis [24,25] and generally have a better survival and favorable prognosis compared to HPV-negative patients [26][27][28][29][30].…”