Human papillomavirus infection of the oesphagus and its association with squamous cell carcinoma : a restropective study of cases seen at Chris Hani Baragwanath hospital in 2009 and 2010
Date
2014
Authors
Van der Byl, Dawn-Lee
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Journal ISSN
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Abstract
There are two principal types of oesophageal carcinoma with squamous cell
carcinoma being the most common globally. There are several different etiological
factors in the development of oesophageal squamous cell cancer (OSCC). The
significance of these risk factors appears to vary by region. The human
papillomavirus has been implicated in the aetiology of OSCC. Furthermore, it has
been postulated that the differences in the prevalence of HPV in OSCC is related
to the geographical region in which the study was conducted with HPV playing a
more significant role in high risk areas.
Aim
The aim of this study was to establish the presence or absence of HPV infection in
the oesophagus and any association it may have with oesophageal squamous cell
carcinoma.
Materials and methods
All cases of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma that were diagnosed between
01 January 2009 and 31 December 2010 at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital were
included in the study. All the cases were assessed for the presence or absence of
condylomatous atypia. PCR was performed on all the cases as well as on 10
v
cases of normal control oesophageal biopsies. PCR was performed using the
GP5+ and GP6+ primers.
Results
The database search revealed 96 eligible cases of which 95 showed amplification
of the β-globin gene and underwent PCR. Of these, two cases showed histological
features of condylomatous atypia. All 95 cases failed to demonstrate the presence
of HPV DNA by PCR.
Conclusion
HPV is a common infection in the South African population and is known to be
carcinogenic in other sites. Its role in OSCC has remained controversial, however,
this study does not support the theory that HPV has a role to play in the
pathogenesis of OSCC.
Description
There are two principal types of oesophageal carcinoma with squamous cell
carcinoma being the most common globally. There are several different etiological
factors in the development of oesophageal squamous cell cancer (OSCC). The
significance of these risk factors appears to vary by region. The human
papillomavirus has been implicated in the aetiology of OSCC. Furthermore, it has
been postulated that the differences in the prevalence of HPV in OSCC is related
to the geographical region in which the study was conducted with HPV playing a
more significant role in high risk areas.
Aim
The aim of this study was to establish the presence or absence of HPV infection in
the oesophagus and any association it may have with oesophageal squamous cell
carcinoma.
Materials and methods
All cases of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma that were diagnosed between
01 January 2009 and 31 December 2010 at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital were
included in the study. All the cases were assessed for the presence or absence of
condylomatous atypia. PCR was performed on all the cases as well as on 10
v
cases of normal control oesophageal biopsies. PCR was performed using the
GP5+ and GP6+ primers.
Results
The database search revealed 96 eligible cases of which 95 showed amplification
of the β-globin gene and underwent PCR. Of these, two cases showed histological
features of condylomatous atypia. All 95 cases failed to demonstrate the presence
of HPV DNA by PCR.
Conclusion
HPV is a common infection in the South African population and is known to be
carcinogenic in other sites. Its role in OSCC has remained controversial, however,
this study does not support the theory that HPV has a role to play in the
pathogenesis of OSCC.