Evaluation of p16 as a Surrogate Marker in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Oral and Oropharyngeal Regions
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48047/Keywords:
Squamous Cell Carcinoma, p16, HPV, Oral Cancer, Oropharyngeal Cancer, Immunohistochemistry.Abstract
Background Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the oral cavity and oropharynx is a prevalent malignancy often associated with lifestyle factors like tobacco and alcohol use, and increasingly, with Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection. The p16 protein is widely used as a surrogate marker for HPVassociated SCC. Objectives To evaluate the expression of p16 in oral and oropharyngeal SCC, assess its correlation with histopathological grades, and explore its utility as a surrogate marker for HPV infection. Methods A prospective study was conducted on 50 patients diagnosed with oral and oropharyngeal SCC at NRI Institute of Medical Sciences, Visakhapatnam, from July 2018 to September 2020. Detailed histopathological grading and immunohistochemistry (IHC) for p16 expression were performed,
and the results were analyzed statistically.
Results Out of 50 cases, 12 (24%) were p16 positive. The most common site was the tongue (56%), followed by the buccal mucosa (26%). Well-differentiated SCC showed the highest p16 positivity (46%), and p16 positivity was predominantly associated with younger patients.
Conclusion p16 serves as a promising surrogate marker for HPV in oral and oropharyngeal SCC, especially in well-differentiated tumors. This study highlights the potential clinical utility of p16 in the diagnosis and management of SCC. Further studies involving larger patient cohorts and molecular testing are recommended to validate these findings.
