Human papillomavirus-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma is now recognised as a subtype of head and neck cancer with distinct clinical, molecular and histological characteristics. The majority of these carcinomas are of non-keratinising squamous type but there is a growing number of histomorphologic variants of this disease. Here we describe the clinical, histomorphologic and immun...

Background:Human papilloma virus (HPV) infection is a powerful prognostic biomarker in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Increased epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene copy number and protein expression have been reported to be negative predictors of outcome. This study examined the relationship between HPV status, EGFR gene copy number, EGFR protein expression, and clinica...

We report the case of a 67-year-old Caucasian man with unexplained presyncopal episodes during radiation therapy for oropharyngeal cancer.

Incidence: Oropharyngeal neoplasia accounts for approximately 6% of canine and 3% of feline cancers. The annual incidence is approximately 20 cases per 100,000 dogs and 11 cases per 100,000 cats. It is more common in the dog than any other species. Older animals (8 – 12 years) are more commonly affected. Oropharyngeal neoplasia has a wide distribution among canine breeds, however, it is commonl...

Oropharyngeal tumours account for more than 500,000 cases annually worldwide [1,2]. The incidence rate in males exceeds 20 per 100,000 in regions of Hong Kong, the Indian subcontinent, parts of Europe and among African Americans in the United States [3]. In Europe, there were approximately 250,000 cases and 63,500 deaths in 2012 [4]. A 2013 study designed to determine the prevalence of HPV-posi...

Although human papillomavirus (HPV)+ oropharyngeal cancers often present with metastasis, most patients have excellent long-term survival. The reason underlying such an apparent contradiction remains unclear, but we have recently demonstrated that the improved survival of HPV+ oropharyngeal cancer patients has an immunological component, as the levels of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) ca...

This perspective on Settle et al. (beginning on p. 776 in this issue of the journal) discusses the racial disparity in oropharyngeal cancer survival in relation to the biological factor human papillomavirus and its association with sexual behavior. This discussion is expanded to a more general consideration of biological and nonbiological (e.g., socioeconomic and cultural) factors affecting rac...

To begin with, let me acknowledge that Drs. Epstein and Schubert are experienced doctors of dental medicine who have been involved in the evaluation and therapy of cytotoxic therapy–related mucositis for a long time. I fully agree with them that cytotoxic therapy–associated mucositis is a major clinical problem and that there is a dearth of good studies that address ways to alleviate the condit...

Fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) is a member of the fibroblast growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase family. It has been identified as a promising therapeutic target in multiple types of cancer. We have investigated FGFR3 protein expression and FGFR3 gene copy-numbers in a single well-documented cohort of oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Tissue microarray sets contain...

Oropharyngeal cancer incidence has recently increased, thereby attracting public attention. Akin to other malignancies of the upper aerodigestive tract, it has been attributed to the carcinogenic effects of tobacco and alcohol use. However, recent evidence shows that a substantial increase in the disease is attributable to the effects of human papillomavirus (HPV). Marked progress has been made...