Rising prevalence of human papillomavirus-related oropharyngeal cancer in Australia over the last 2 decades

Angela Hong, C. Soon Lee, Deanna Jones, Anne-Sophie Veillard, Mei Zhang, Xiaoying Zhang, Robert Smee, June Corry, Sandro Porceddu, Christopher Milross, Michael Elliott, Jonathan Clark, Barbara Rose

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

82 Citations (Scopus)

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 languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)743-750
Number of pages8
JournalHead & Neck
Volume38
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2016

Keywords

  • cancer
  • papillomaviruses
  • squamous cell carcinoma

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Rising prevalence of human papillomavirus-related oropharyngeal cancer in Australia over the last 2 decades'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this