Abstract
Objective: Oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) has been established as a causative agent for 25% of head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC), including laryngeal squamous cell cancer (LSCC). HPV-positive oropharyngeal patients have improved prognosis. We determined outcomes in LSCC in the context of HPV infection.
Method: Seventy-nine primary LSCC were examined for 21 risk factors. HPV status was determined using real-time quantitative PCR. Chi-square/Fisher exact test were used to test association of HPV-positive with the other risk factors. Kaplan-Meier and log rank test were used to study the risk of HPV-positive status for overall survival.
Results: HPV-16 was detected in 21 out of 77 (27%) primary LSCC, 16% (5/32) African American (AA) and 33% (15/45) Caucasian American (CA). Significance between race and HPV status was marginal (P = .058). HPV-positive status was significantly associated with male gender (P = .017) and insurance type (P = .001). HPV-positive LSCC had longer median survival (6.64 years) when compared with HPV-negative (6.25 years), but was not significant.
Conclusion: We found high prevalence of HPV in males vs females and lower prevalence of HPV infection in AA vs CA. Larger multi-ethnic LSCC cohorts are needed to more clearly delineate HPV-related survival outcomes across ethnicities.
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