Synchronous bilateral tonsillar carcinomas associated with human papillomavirus

Association between tonsillectomy and oropharyngeal cancer risk: a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this retrospective cohort study is to describe the association between the history of tonsillectomy and the risk of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSSC), using a large cohort of patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed a retrospective cohort study with 3620 patients diagnosed with OPٍSCC from 2010 to 2021. We utilized the University of Florida patients' registry i2b2 system. Three subsets of OPSSC were defined, base of tongue(BOT) cancer, tonsillar cancer, and other OPSSC. Tumor demographics and history of tonsillectomy were collected. Odds ratio for OPSSC were assessed utilizing a logistic regression model with adjusting for gender, race, and age. P < 0.05 was deemed significant.

RESULTS

Of the 3620 OPSSC patients were BOT cancer (N = 964), tonsillar cancer (N = 995), and other OPSSC (N = 1661). There was a statistically significant reduction in tonsillar cancer and BOT cancer odds ratio in patients with a history of tonsillectomy vs. patients without tonsillectomy (0.086 and 0.117), respectively, with a P value < .0001. The odds ratio of OPSSC in patients with a history of tonsillectomy vs. patients without tonsillectomy is 1.031.

CONCLUSION

This study showed that the OPSSC and previous history of tonsillectomy are associated. Our results showed a significant reduction in BOT and tonsillar cancer risk in patients with a history of tonsillectomy and an insignificant decrease in other OPSSC. This study could emphasize the importance of the development of future clinical trials to investigate the role of prophylactic tonsillectomy as a secondary preventive strategy to reduce OPSSC.

Prevalence of Transcriptionally Active HPV Infection in Tumor-Free Oropharyngeal Tissue of OPSCC-Patients

Objectives

The natural history of HPV-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) is still largely unknown. Since reports of second primary tumors (SPTs) in patients with HPV-related OPSCCs are increasing, a multifocal HPV infection, hinting a «virus-induced field effect», has been hypothesized. This study aimed to investigate the HPV-prevalence in normal appearing oropharyngeal tissue in patients with OPSCCs.

Materials and Methods

49 OPSCC patients undergoing panendoscopy were prospectively enrolled. Tumor specimens and biopsies of normal appearing oropharyngeal tissue adjacent to and distant from the index OPSCC underwent histopathological examination, p16INK4A immunohistochemical staining, HPV DNA and mRNA-detection. Patient characteristics and follow-up data on SPTs were obtained.

Results

26 of 49 (53%) OPSCC were positive for HPV DNA and p16INK4A. HPV mRNA was detected in 23 of 26 (88%) of these tumor samples. HPV DNA was detected in 36% adjacent mucosa and in 17% distant mucosa samples and only in patients with an HPV-related index OPSCC. HPV mRNA could not be detected in tumor-free distant and adjacent mucosa samples. No evidence of association between HPV detection in normal appearing mucosa and development of second primary tumors was found.

Conclusions

HPV was detectable but not transcriptionally active in adjacent/distant tumor-free oropharyngeal tissue. This suggests that a multifocal HPV infection, hinting a «virus-induced fielcd cancerization», may not be pertaining to HPV-related OPSCC.

Radiation Therapy Alone for Human Papillomavirus-Related Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Oropharynx: A Single-Arm, Phase 2 Study

PURPOSE

Human papillomavirus (HPV)-related squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx (OPSCC) is extremely radiosensitive. Radiation therapy plus high-dose cisplatin remains the standard of care but causes long-term toxicity. Treatment deintensification approaches that reduce toxicity while maintaining survival are desirable for HPV-related OPSCC.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

We conducted a single-arm, multicenter, phase 2 trial. Patients with newly diagnosed, biopsy-proven, American Joint Committee on Cancer (seventh edition) stage III or IV OPSCC positive for both p16 and HPV DNA were eligible. Patients with T4, N3, or T1N1 disease were excluded. Smoking history was not included in eligibility criteria. Patients received intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) of 70 Gy in 35 fractions or 70.4 Gy in 32 fractions without chemotherapy. The primary endpoint was complete response or complete metabolic response 10 weeks after IMRT completion.

RESULTS

Between September 13, 2013, and November 15, 2016, 39 patients were enrolled according to a 2-stage Simon design. Twenty-three patients (59%) had smoked for more than10 pack-years. Thirty-six patients (92%) had tumors genotyped as HPV16. Thirty-seven patients (95%) received full-dose radiation therapy and 35 (90%) had complete response or complete metabolic response. Median follow-up was 51 months (interquartile range, 41-63 months). One patient (3%) had regional recurrence and 3 (8%) had distant metastasis. One patient died of disease. The 2-year progression-free survival rate was 94% (95% CI, 81%-99%), and the 2-year overall survival rate was 100%. Common grade 3 adverse events during IMRT included mucositis in 10 patients (26%) and dysphagia in 7 patients (18%). No patients were dependent on a feeding tube at 1 month after IMRT completion. No grade 3 or 4 late adverse events were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

IMRT alone is associated with excellent response as well as reduced toxicity and could be a treatment option for carefully selected patients with locally advanced "true" HPV-related OPSCC. Further studies are warranted.

Two for the price of one: Prevalence, demographics and treatment implications of multiple HPV mediated Head and Neck Cancers

OBJECTIVES

HPV mediated head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HPVmHNSCC) is increasing in prevalence in the United States, as are reports of patients with multiple HPVmHNSCCs. The prevalence, demographics, and treatment implications of this emerging clinical entity are poorly understood.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed a multitiered assessment of patients with multiple HPVmHNSCC including: 1. systematic review of the literature, 2. query of the 2017 Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database and 3. institutional level reporting at two high volume academic centers.

RESULTS

Systematic literature review: 13 articles met inclusion criteria (48 patients with multiple HPVmHNSCC). Pooled prevalence rate of multiple HPVmHNSCC was 2.64%. SEER database: 60(0.95%) patients with HPVmHNSCC had two tumors. Patients with multiple HPVmHNSCC were more likely to be younger and present with a lower T and N stage (p < 0.025 for all). The second identified tumor was more likely to be contralateral, found synchronously, of smaller size, and to occur in the tonsil (p < 0.05 for all). Institutional reporting: 17(1.69%) patients with HPVmHNSCC had two primary tumors. Similar to the SEER database, patients with multiple HPVmHNSCC were more likely to present with a low T stage and tonsil location (p < 0.007 for both).

CONCLUSION

Multiple HPVmHNSCCs occur in a subset of HPVmHNSCC cases with distinct characteristics. Thorough interrogation of all oropharyngeal subsites should be performed as part of the initial workup for HPVmHNSCC, with consideration given to contralateral tonsillectomy at the time of surgical resection for HPV mediated tonsil cancers due to the prevalence of contralateral tonsil primaries.

Multifocal human papillomavirus detection in palatine and pharyngeal tonsils

BACKGROUND

Multifocal human papillomavirus (HPV) infection into the palatine and pharyngeal tonsils, which might be linked to a second primary tumor of HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer (OPC), was investigated.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

One hundred and five patients with various head and neck diseases including 14 patients with OPC were enrolled in this study. Swabs from the palatine and pharyngeal tonsils were collected in each individual, and auto-nested GP5+/GP6+ PCR for HPV DNA was performed.

RESULTS

HPV DNA was detected in the palatine tonsil or the pharyngeal tonsil in a small subset of upper respiratory tract cancer other than OPC (URTC) and non-cancer diseases. Furthermore, HPV DNA was detected in both the palatine and pharyngeal tonsils in the same individual in 2 of 48 (4%) URTC cases, and 1 of 43 (2%) non-cancer cases. On the other hand, p16-positive OPC cases demonstrated a higher HPV DNA detection rate (4 of 9, 44.4%) compared with other disease groups.

CONCLUSION

HPV DNA detection in both the palatine and pharyngeal tonsils in the same individual, especially in HPV-OPC, suggested the ability of HPV to infect tonsillar tissues of Waldeyer's ring multifocally.

Synchronous HPV-Related Cancer of Bilateral Tonsils Detected Using Transoral Endoscopic Examination with Narrow-Band Imaging

Background

The incidence of human papillomavirus- (HPV-) related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) has been rapidly increasing worldwide. HPV is reported in approximately 50% cases of OPSCC in Japan. However, there are few reports of synchronous bilateral HPV-positive tonsillar carcinoma, and, in almost all those cases, carcinoma was detected using positron emission tomography/computed tomography and/or bilateral tonsillectomy.

Methods and Results

We report the case of a 63-year-old male with bilateral tonsillar carcinoma detected using transoral endoscopic examination with narrow-band imaging (NBI). A biopsy of the bilateral tonsils revealed squamous cell carcinoma, which was demonstrated to be HPV-related using in situ hybridization and p16 immunohistochemistry. The patient was diagnosed as synchronous bilateral tonsillar carcinoma: T1 (2) N2b M0. He was treated with induction chemotherapy, bilateral radical tonsillectomy with neck dissection, and radiotherapy.

Conclusion

To our knowledge, this is the first report of a synchronous bilateral tonsillar carcinoma detected using transoral NBI in the outpatient setting. Early diagnosis without the inspection under general anesthesia is beneficial for the patients with lymph node metastasis from unknown primary lesion.

Synchronous, bilateral tonsillar carcinomas: Patient characteristics and human papillomavirus genotypes

INTRODUCTION

The incidence of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) is increasing, but data on the incidence of synchronous, bilateral tonsillar squamous cell carcinomas (BiTSCCs) is sparse. In this study, we report the incidence and tumour characteristics of BiTSCCs in a population-based, consecutive cohort of OPSCCs.

METHODS

We identified all patients diagnosed with tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) in eastern Denmark during a 15-year period to detect the incidence of synchronous BiTSCCs. The tumours were assessed for p16^Ink4a expression, the presence of HPV DNA and HPV genotypes. Furthermore, we systematically reviewed the literature examining BiTSCCs.

RESULTS

Of the total of 1119 TSCCs diagnosed in eastern Denmark from 2000 to 2014, we identified 12 BiTSCCs, nine of which initially presented as a cancer of unknown primary (CUP) in the neck. Nine cases were bilaterally HPV16 positive (HPV16+), while two cases were HPV16+ in one tonsil and respectively, HPV33 and HPV35 positive in the contralateral tonsil. One case was bilaterally HPV-negative. We also identified an increase in the incidence of BiTSCCs after 2012 when histological examination of the entire tonsil tissue became routine, suggesting that BiTSCCs might be underdiagnosed. In the literature, we identified 15 studies from six countries, encompassing 25 cases in total.

CONCLUSIONS

BiTSCCs were primarily HPV16+ and were most often diagnosed as part of the diagnostic work-up for CUP. We found an incidence of 9% BiTSCCs in patients with TSCC after 2012 and we therefore recommend focusing on putative BiTSCC with total embedding and histological examination of tonsils harvested by bilateral tonsillectomies.

Synchronous bilateral tonsil carcinoma: case presentation and review of the literature

Background

The incidence of synchronous bilateral tonsil carcinoma seems to be underreported. For adequate oncologic treatment, it is mandatory to remove all primaries to prevent recurrence or metachronic disease. The purpose of this manuscript is to provide a comprehensive review on this topic and to emphasize the need of bilateral tonsillectomy in cases of cancer of unknown primary (CUP) as well as in the case of a unilateral tonsillar carcinoma.

Material and methods

A systematic review of the literature was performed for “bilateral tonsillar neoplasm”, “synchronous cancer of the oropharynx” and “cancer of unknown primary in head and neck”.

Results

We present a clinical case with bilateral tonsillar carcinoma in initially suggested cancer of unknown primary. Clinically, both tonsillar sites were unsuspicious, but in PET/CT an ipsilateral enhancement of the tonsil area was detected. The pathological work up of bilateral tonsillectomy specimens revealed bilateral squamous cell carcinoma with HPV-type 16 positivity. The review of the literature revealed 29 cases of bilateral tonsil cancer.

Conclusion

The handling of tonsillar tissue in the frame of panendoscopy in the case of CUP is still controversial. We recommend a bilateral tonsillectomy as a routine procedure for cancer of unknown primary as well as unilateral tonsillar carcinoma. Herewith the detrimental consequences of occult metachronous contralateral tonsillar carcinoma can be prevented.

Clinical features and treatment strategy for HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer

Among head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), the incidence of oropharyngeal SCC (OPSCC) is increasing in contrast to carcinoma with origin in other subsites. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is now recognized as a significant risk factor of the carcinogenesis of OPSCC. The HPV-related OPSCC patients tend to be relatively young, less exposed to tobacco and alcohol, and have a relatively high socioeconomic status and education level, which is distinct from HPV-unrelated classical OPSCC. The neck metastases tend to be aggressive and cystic. The better response to treatment resulting in improved prognosis of HPV-related OPSCC led to reconsidering the clinical staging and treatment approaches. Clinical trials of treatment deintensification to reduce the acute and late toxicity without compromising efficacy have been conducted. This review of HPV-related OPSCC focuses on current and generally accepted facts regarding the biology, epidemiology, and therapeutic strategy of this new disease entity.