HPV18 DNA detection and pathological laryngopharyngeal reflux in a young woman with glottic squamous cell carcinoma in situ: a brief report.

Laryngeal cancer predominantly affects elderly males with long-term smoking and alcohol histories, and its occurrence in young females is extremely rare. We report a 26-year-old woman with glottic squamous cell carcinoma in situ who presented with persistent hoarseness. She had no history of smoking, alcohol use, or radiation exposure. Upon evaluation, high-risk HPV18 DNA was detected in FFPE tumor tissue by Lcn PCR, and 24-hour MII-pH monitoring indicated pathological laryngopharyngeal reflux. Targeted sequencing of 535 genes showed no driver mutations, tumor mutation burden elevation, or microsatellite instability. The patient underwent transoral laser resection followed by postoperative anti-reflux management. At follow-up, she remained recurrence-free. This case suggests a possible contribution of HPV18 and laryngopharyngeal reflux to carcinogenesis in a young non-smoking woman with glottic carcinoma in situ. The findings support selective virologic evaluation and individualized reflux assessment in clinically atypical laryngeal squamous lesions.