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Head and Neck Pathology
Published in: Head and Neck Pathology 1/2014

01-03-2014 | Proceedings of the North American Society of Head and Neck Pathology Companion Meeting, March 2, 2014, San Diego, California

Human Papillomavirus and Epstein Barr Virus in Head and Neck Carcinomas: Suggestions for the New WHO Classification

Authors: James S. Lewis Jr., Rebecca D. Chernock

Published in: Head and Neck Pathology | Issue 1/2014

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Abstract

In the 9 years since the last World Health Organization (WHO) classification for head and neck tumors, a great deal has changed. In particular, human papillomavirus (HPV) has emerged as the major etiologic agent and patient prognostic marker for squamous cell carcinoma, most profoundly in the oropharynx. It also casts a long shadow over all of the rest of head and neck cancer given its biologic and prognostic implications. By contrast, little has changed regarding our knowledge of Epstein–Barr virus in head and neck cancers, except as it relates to HPV in nonkeratinizing-type nasopharyngeal carcinomas. This article discusses some of the major advances in our understanding of virus-related squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck and suggests several specific concepts and terminology for incorporation into the next WHO classification.
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Metadata
Title
Human Papillomavirus and Epstein Barr Virus in Head and Neck Carcinomas: Suggestions for the New WHO Classification
Authors
James S. Lewis Jr.
Rebecca D. Chernock
Publication date
01-03-2014
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Head and Neck Pathology / Issue 1/2014
Electronic ISSN: 1936-0568
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12105-014-0528-6

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