Biphenotypic human papillomavirus-associated head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: a report of two cases

Diagn Pathol. 2015 Jul 11:10:97. doi: 10.1186/s13000-015-0334-9.

Abstract

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 immunophenotypic features of two cases of human papillomavirus-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma demonstrating a clearly delineated biphasic differentiated and undifferentiated phenotype.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers, Tumor / analysis
  • Biopsy
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / chemistry
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / therapy
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / virology*
  • Cell Differentiation*
  • Chemoradiotherapy
  • DNA, Viral / genetics*
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / chemistry
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / therapy
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / virology*
  • Human Papillomavirus DNA Tests
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / chemistry
  • Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / therapy
  • Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / virology*
  • Papillomaviridae / genetics*
  • Phenotype
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • DNA, Viral