Published in:
Open Access
01-12-2022 | Herpes Virus | Case report
Herpes simplex virus-infected squamous cell carcinoma: a case report
Authors:
Sarah H. Brown, Vanessa A. R. States, Abaseen K. Afghan, Gowri Satyanarayana
Published in:
BMC Infectious Diseases
|
Issue 1/2022
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Abstract
Background
Herpes simplex virus (HSV)-1 is a highly prevalent, non-oncogenic virus that has higher morbidity in immunocompromised hosts. Its most common clinical manifestation is superficial ulceration of the integument or mucus membranes.
Case presentation
A 65-year-old woman with a history of acute myelogenous leukemia treated with allogenic peripheral blood stem cell transplant presented for resection of an ulcerated buccal squamous cell carcinoma. We report a case of HSV-1-infected malignant cells discovered on histopathological examination of the carcinoma specimen ultimately treated with valacyclovir.
Conclusions
HSV-1 is not considered an oncogenic virus itself but may increase risk of malignant progression. Cancer cells are vulnerable to superimposed viral infections, including HSV-1, which likely led to the findings in this case.