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HPV-Related Pure and Mixed Neuroendocrine Carcinomas of the Oropharynx

Description

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) has been recognized as a cause of squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx. It also may cause small and large cell neuroendocrine carcinomas of the oropharynx. These tumors are more aggressive than the HPV-related squamous cell carcinomas of the oropharynx.


 

Pathologic features:

(1) presence of a small or large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma, positive for neuroendocrine markers such as synaptophysin

(2) variable presence of squamous cell carcinoma resulting in a mixed carcinoma with two components if present. The squamous cell carcinoma may be poorly differentiated or show basaloid features.

(3) tumor cells are strongly positive for p16 or other HPV marker (PCR, ISH)

 

Clinical features:

(1) The patient may have a history of tobacco exposure.

(2) The tumor tends to have an aggressive clinical behavior, with high rate of recurrence and distant metastases.

(3) The survival in one series (Bishop and Westra) was 6 to 15 months.

 


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