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Head and Neck Pathology
Published in: Head and Neck Pathology 1/2012

01-07-2012 | Invited Review

The Morphologic Profile of HPV-Related Head and Neck Squamous Carcinoma: Implications for Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Clinical Management

Author: William H. Westra

Published in: Head and Neck Pathology | Special Issue 1/2012

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Abstract

Much recent attention has highlighted a subset of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) related to the human papillomavirus (HPV) that is characterized by an epidemiologic, demographic, and clinical profile that deviates from the profile of conventional non-HPV-related HNSCC. Lost in the dash to develop and implement diagnostic assays to detect the presence of HPV in HNSCCs is the unpretentious observation that these HPV-HNSCCs are also distinctive with respect to their microscopic appearance, and that an awareness of these characteristic morphologic features can facilitate the diagnosis of HPV-related HNSCC (HPV-HNSCC). This review will delineate the microscopic appearance of HPV-HNSCC, spotlight ways in which the misinterpretation of these microscopic features can lead to diagnostic confusion, and provide recommendations for appropriate terminology when diagnosing HPV-HNSCC.
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Metadata
Title
The Morphologic Profile of HPV-Related Head and Neck Squamous Carcinoma: Implications for Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Clinical Management
Author
William H. Westra
Publication date
01-07-2012
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Head and Neck Pathology / Issue Special Issue 1/2012
Electronic ISSN: 1936-0568
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12105-012-0371-6

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