FEATURED SEARCH TERM: verrucous carcinoma
Verrucous carcinoma is a locally aggressive, slow-growing, well-differentiated form of squamous cell carcinoma with minimal metastatic potential. Because the disease often involves the oral cavity, a leading theory is that human papillomavirus (HPV) is behind its pathogenesis. It’s easy to leap to that conclusion. But UK researchers suggest that the presence of HPV oncoproteins may not be a driving force after all in these malignant lesions.
RESULT:Human papillomavirus detection in dysplastic and malignant oral verrucous lesions
Journal of Clinical Pathology | Dec 15, 2011 (Free abstract. Full text $30)
However, HPV antibodies may be useful prognostic markers of survival in head and neck cancer patients, according to an international study, which evaluated oncoprotein levels before and after treatment. This is good news for a disease state that has seen its survival rate stall at 30% over the last three decades.
RESULT: Human papillomavirus serologic follow-up response and relationship to survival in head and neck cancer: a case-comparison study
Infectious Agents and Cancer | Jul 8, 2011 (FREE FULL TEXT)
