Fine-needle aspiration biopsy of HPV-related squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck: Current ancillary testing methods for determining HPV status

Human papillomavirus (HPV)-related head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a unique form of carcinoma that largely arises from the tonsillar tissue in the oropharynx. These tumors often present with cervical lymphadenopathy resulting in a fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy. Use of the cytology specimen to determine the HPV-status has significant prognostic and treatment implications as HPV-related tumors have a more favorable prognosis and response to nonsurgical therapies. While several different ancillary testing methods are available that have proven effective for determining HPV status in FNA specimens from HNSCCs, there is currently no consensus regarding HPV testing in this setting. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2017; 45: 221-229. (C) 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.