THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN HUMAN PAPILLOMA VIRUS AND LARYNGEAL MASSES

The Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) can play a role in the development of head and neck tumors such as oropharyngeal tumors. Nevertheless, a real impact between Human Papilloma Virus and other head and neck sites such as the larynx is not well studied. This study aimed to assess the association of Human Papilloma Virus and laryngeal tumors. It is a prospective, case control study in which a random sample of 34 patients who have laryngeal masses was included in the period between November 2017 to December 2018. The study was carried out In the Department of Otolaryngology, Basrah Teaching Hospital. Patients were evaluated by a questioner according to gender, age, marital status, full medical history, and examination. A biopsy then was taken for histopathology study to confirm presence of tumors or other lesions. Malignant tumors were evaluated according to staging and grading systems. All lesions were examined for the presence of HPV by Immunohistochemistry (IHC) study. The results of this study revealed that there was HPV infection in 30% of the patients. Moreover, HPV was found in 30% of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma and in 30% of benign lesions. Statistical tests showed no significant association between HPV and Laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. In conclusion, although there was thirty percent of patients having HPV infections, but there was no significant association between HPV and laryngeal malignant tumours. A larger epidemiologic and more multicentric study is mandatory to evaluate the true prevalence of HPV infection in the mucosa of larynx and laryngeal malignancies.