Utility of high-risk HPV RNA chromogenic in situ hybridization in cytology smears and liquid-based preparations from metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

HR-HPV ISH can be reliably performed on smears or LBC preparations, particularly when cell blocks are unavailable or paucicellular. Results were easy to interpret when high numbers of signals were present but were challenging in aspirates with low or rare number of signals. The current study suggests that HR-HPV ISH could be used as the initial testing modality for determining HPV status in FNAC specimens of metastatic SCC.