Association of Human Papilloma Virus in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Oral squamous cell carcinoma is the most common malignant epithelial neoplasm affecting the oral cavity.it is commonly seen in the lip, oral cavity, salivary glands. Worldwide, oral cancer accounts for 2%–4% of all cancer cases. Although tobacco and alcohol are the main etiologic factors in majority of these cancers, the etiological factor in 1/4th of the cases remains unidentified. There is a growing evidence that human papilloma virus (HPV) may act as a cocarcinogen along with tobacco which eventually results in oral cancers. Hence, this study is focused on evaluating the expression of HPV in OSCC and to correlate the association of HPV in OSCC patients. Aim: The aim of this study is to analyze the presence of human papilloma virus in oral squamous cell carcinoma using p16 tumor biomarker and to compare the presence of human papilloma virus in tobacoo related and non tobacoo related oral squamous cell carcinoma. Methodology: A 100 histologically diagnosed OSCC patients were selected for the study and sections were made to evaluate the presence of HPV using P16 tumor marker. Results: Out of the total 100 patients the presence of HPV was seen in only 3 patients. Tongue was the common site with a male predilection. Even though non smokers were more in the study, the presence of HPV was seen in patients with smoking habit. Thus correlating the relationship between presence of HPV and smoking habit. Conclusion: There is no significant association between OSCC and HPV in our study. Our study also proves that there is an association between HPV and smoking habit. However considering our sample size, a larger sample size can be consider to prove the association between OSCC and HPV.