DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2018.v06i08.008

Pages: 2987-2990

Squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) of the oral cavity and oropharynx are amongst the commonest cancers in India. High risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) status is a good prognostic marker for patients with oropharyngeal SCC. The present study was undertaken to compare the positivity for HPV in oral brushing versus oral rinsing sample in patients with oropharyngeal SCC. The present study was a laboratory based descriptive observational study. The HR-HPV was detected by Hybrid Caputre 2 (HC2) HPV system as per manufacturer instructions. Statistical analysis was done by using ANOVA. Out of 50 oral brushing and oral rinsing samples, 8 (16%) samples and only 1 (2%) sample were found positive, respectively. The mean age of HC 2 positive patients were found to be not significant as compared to negative cases. Application of Chi square test showed that HC 2 positivity in male (16.7 %) as compared to female (12.5%) were not statistically significant (p=0.817). Maximum HC 2 positivity was seen in lesions located at tonsils (21.4%), followed by lesions located at soft palate (18.2%) and at base of tongue (15%); and none were positive at buccal mucosa. Tobacco chewing, smoking and alcohol consumption were more commonly associated with HC 2 negative patients than HC 2 positive patients. HPV positivity by oral rinsing was quite low in comparison to oral brushings. HC2 may be a useful method for detection of HR-HPV in patients with oropharyngeal SCC and its important to carry out regular HPV testing on such patients as oropharyngeal SCC which are HPV positive respond better to radiotherapy and have better overall survival.