The prevalence of human papillomavirus–positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma at one of the largest tertiary care centers in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

Limited data exist on the prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma in sub-Saharan Africa. OBJECTIVE.—: To determine the prevalence of HPV-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma at a large tertiary care center in South Africa.A total of 266 oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas diagnosed during an 11-year period (2007-2017) were selected for evaluation. Cases staining positive for p16 immunohistochemistry were evaluated for high-risk HPV using the BD Onclarity assay (BD Diagnostics, Sparks, Maryland).