Medical Emergencies · single question
Which HPV type is responsible for Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) in the TONSILS?
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Correct answer: A. HPV 16 and 18
HPV 16 and 18 (A) are the high-risk oncogenic HPV types responsible for tonsillar (oropharyngeal) SCC. HPV 16 is the predominant type in oropharyngeal cancers.
HPV types to know:
• HPV 6, 11: Low-risk, cause condyloma acuminata (genital warts) and recurrent respiratory papillomatosis — NOT cancer-causing
• HPV 16, 18: High-risk — cervical cancer, oropharyngeal cancer, anal cancer
• Tonsillar/Base of tongue SCC: rising incidence, younger patients, better prognosis than tobacco-related HNC, HPV 16 in ~90% of cases
• The lingual tonsil (base of tongue) and palatine tonsils have crypts where HPV can infect basal epithelial cells — highly susceptible transformation zones.
HPV types to know:
• HPV 6, 11: Low-risk, cause condyloma acuminata (genital warts) and recurrent respiratory papillomatosis — NOT cancer-causing
• HPV 16, 18: High-risk — cervical cancer, oropharyngeal cancer, anal cancer
• Tonsillar/Base of tongue SCC: rising incidence, younger patients, better prognosis than tobacco-related HNC, HPV 16 in ~90% of cases
• The lingual tonsil (base of tongue) and palatine tonsils have crypts where HPV can infect basal epithelial cells — highly susceptible transformation zones.
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