The prognostic role of human papillomavirus in patients with vaginal cancer

Int J Gynecol Cancer. 2011 Jul;21(5):923-9. doi: 10.1097/IGC.0b013e31821bc615.

Abstract

Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate the association between human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and clinical-pathological parameters in primary squamous cell carcinoma of the vagina and assess the value of HPV infection as a prognostic parameter.

Methods: In our retrospective study, we identified 37 consecutive patients with primary invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the vagina; 35 patients were eligible for further investigations. Human papillomavirus detection was assessed by in situ hybridization assays from paraffin-embedded tissue blocks. Human papillomavirus detection was correlated with clinical-pathological parameters by χ² and Fisher exact tests. Univariate log-rank tests and multivariate Cox regression models were used to evaluate the association between HPV infection and patient survival.

Results: Human papillomavirus DNA was detected in 18 (51.4%) of 35 cases. Human papillomavirus status did no influence clinical-pathological parameters, such as clinical stage (P=0.9), grade (P=0.9), and tumor size (P=0.18). Prognosis did not significantly differ between HPV-positive and HPV-negative tumors in the entire cohort; however, patients with unfavorable tumor stage (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage≥III) and HPV positivity had improved disease-free (P=0.004) and overall survival (P=0.023).

Conclusions: Human papillomavirus infection was frequently detected in squamous cell carcinoma of the vagina, and its presence may serve as a prognostic indicator in advanced stages.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Alphapapillomavirus / physiology*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / diagnosis*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / mortality
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / virology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • In Situ Hybridization
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Papillomavirus Infections / complications
  • Papillomavirus Infections / diagnosis
  • Papillomavirus Infections / virology*
  • Prognosis
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Survival Analysis
  • Vaginal Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Vaginal Neoplasms / mortality
  • Vaginal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Vaginal Neoplasms / virology*