Abstract
Background. This study provides Australian data on the characteristics of human papillomavirus (HPV)-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) over the last 2 decades. Methods. The HPV status of 515 patients with oropharyngeal SCC diagnosed between 1987 and 2010 was determined by HPV E6-targeted multiplex real time polymerase chain reaction assay (PCR) and p16 immunohistochemistry. Results. The HPV positivity rate increased from 20.2% (1987–1995) to 63.5% (2006–2010). Among HPV-positive oropharyngeal SCC over the study period, the median age increased from 55.4 years to 59.8 years (p5.004) and there was a trend of an increasing proportion of never smokers (19.2% to 34.0%). The use of radiation therapy (RT) in patients with HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer increased from 26.9% to 68.1% (p5.007) and we also observed a trend of improved outcomes. Conclusion. Our data show a rising prevalence of HPV-positive oropharyngeal SCC in Australia over the last 2 decades. These patients with HPV-positive oropharyngeal SCC are now presenting at an older age and about one third have never smoked.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 743-750 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Head & Neck |
Volume | 38 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2016 |
Keywords
- cancer
- papillomaviruses
- squamous cell carcinoma