Oropharyngeal cancer related to Human Papilloma Virus: incidence and prognosis in Madrid, Spain.

PURPOSE: To report the incidence of HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer (OC) in our region, and determine the influence of HPV status on survival among patients treated with chemoradiation (CRT).

METHODS

A total of 102 patients with stage II-IV OC treated by CRT at four hospitals in Madrid, Spain were retrospectively reviewed. Immunohistochemistry analysis was performed to evaluate p16 expression in pretreatment tumor block samples obtained from these patients. HPV-positive and HPV-negative patients were compared to assess differences in overall survival (OS), loco-regional control and disease-free survival.

RESULTS

Of the tumor samples evaluated, 26.7 % were p16 positive. HPV-positive patients were younger (median age, 56 vs 59 years; p = 0.052). No significant differences were observed in terms of tumor stage, gender, or smoking habit between HPV+ and HPV- patients. HPV+ patients showed a trend towards better OS (67.4, vs 49.7 %; hazard ratio, 0.55; p = 0.095).

CONCLUSIONS

Incidence of HPV-related OC in our region is similar to that reported in other regions in Europe, yet lower than in North America. We observed a trend for improved OS in patients with HPV+ oropharyngeal cancer.