Presence of Human Papillomavirus and Epstein-Barr Virus, but Absence of Merkel Cell Polyomavirus, in Head and Neck Cancer of Non-Smokers and Non-Drinkers.

Objective: Determine the presence and prognostic value of human papillomavirus (HPV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV), and cell cycle proteins in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) of non-smokers and non-drinkers (NSND).

Methods: Clinical characteristics and tumors of 119 NSND with HNSCC were retrospectively collected and analyzed on tissue microarrays. RNAscope hybridization (ISH) was used to screen for the presence of HPV and MCPyV mRNA.

Survival analysis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: influence of smoking and drinking.

Background: Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) are associated with tobacco and alcohol; however, the prognostic relevance of these substances is unclear.

Methods: Univariate and multivariate survival analyses were performed for patients with (n = 1829) and without (n = 183) substance use.

Results: HNSCC-specific survival (death due to primary-HNSCC or recurrent HNSCC) and HNSCC/second primary tumor-specific survival (death due to primary-HNSCC or recurrent HNSCC or second primary tumor) were not significantly different for patients who smoked and drank alcohol (hazard ratio [HR], 1.