PREVALENCE OF HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS IN LARYNGEAL CANCER SPECIMENS

Objective The proposition of this study was to verify prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) in larynx neoplastic lesions. Study Design We analyzed 29 paraffin-embedded specimens with confirmed diagnosis of laryngeal cancer in patients aged 33 to 92 years, of both sexes. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed for viral detection, followed by 2% agarose gel electrophoresis in TBE. This study was approved by research ethics committee. Results The results showed the presence of HPV in 72.4% of the sample (21 cases). Conclusions HPV high prevalence in larynx neoplastic lesions found in the study suggests that HPV is an important etiologic factor in the development of neoplastic lesions. Considering the high mortality due to this cancer, the identification of the virus can contribute to early diagnosis and immediate treatment, since the cancer of the larynx when diagnosed at an early stage, has an excellent prognosis with an 80% to 100% healing power, with decrease of the sequels and a better quality of life for the affected individuals.