Prognostic significance of HPV status in postoperative squamous-cell carcinoma of the head and neck

• Published in: The Journal of community and supportive oncology Vol. 14; no. 5; p. 215
• Main Authors: Bertke, Matthew H, Shaughnessy, Joseph N, Forsthoefel, Matthew K, Cash, Liz D, Silverman, Craig L, Bumpous, Jeffrey M, Potts, Kevin L, Redman, Rebecca A, Perez, Cesar A, Dunlap, Neal E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.05.2016
• Subjects: perineural invasion; LVSI; head and neck cancer; lymphovascular space invasion; ECE; human papillomavirus; extracapsular extension; PNI; HPV
• ISSN: 2330-7749
• DOI: 10.12788/jcso.0252

There are limited data on the prognostic significance of human papillomavirus (HPV) status in relation to traditional risk factors for head and neck squamous-cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in the postoperative setting. To clarify the impact of HPV status on the risk for HNSCC in the postoperative setting. We retrospectively evaluated an institutional cohort of 128 patients with HNSCC patients who had been treated with definitive surgery with or without adjuvant radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy. Patient, disease, and treatment factors were analyzed as potential prognostic indicators. Lymph node extracapsular extension (ECE), perineural invasion (PNI), and lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI) positivity predicted poorer locoregional control (LRC), disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS). Positive margins related to poorer DFS and OS. HPV status alone did not predict LRC, DFS, or OS. Compared with patients who were HPV-positive and ECE-negative, both HPV-positive and HPV-negative patients with ECE experienced significantly poorer OS (78.6%, 60%, and 43.7%, respectively; 𝑃 = .010 and 𝑃 = .018, respectively). Retrospective, single-institution study; small patient cohort; short follow-up time. The influence of HPV in postoperative HNSCC seems limited compared with traditional risk factors such as ECE, LVSI, and PNI. De-escalation of postoperative treatment based on HPV status alone should be approached with caution.