Published October 7, 2025
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A prospective cohort study of HPV-mediated oral and oropharyngeal cancer and efficient detection methods
Authors/Creators
- 1. Medical University-Sofia, Sofia, Bulgaria
- 2. University hospital Alexandrovska, Medical University-Sofia, Sofia, Bulgaria
- 3. University hospital St. Anna, Sofia, Bulgaria
- 4. Pirogov Hospital, Sofia, Bulgaria
- 5. MU- Sofia, Sofia, Bulgaria
Description
The role of HPV is accepted in pathogenesis of oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) .
The aim of this study is to investigate the association between HPV and oral and oropharyngeal carcinoma, to analyze the oncoanatomical localizations and effective detection methods.
We investigated 89 patients-50 patients with histologically proven OPSCC and 39 people as a test group. Samples for HPV detection were taken with smear test and oral rinse of each patient. In 30% of cases with OPSSC we found an association with HPV in the test group. Strains were isolated from samples by PCR method. Combination of oral rinse and brush has the highest HPV detection rate (77.8%). Tumours in oropharynx have a higher risk of HPV infection. In the study, HPV16 was found to be predominant, as well as other strains 51,52,58,66,6,31,39, alone or in combination.
Of important clinical importance is the accurate determination of the HPV status of tumor, which is important for management and prognosis.
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