Human papilloma virus detection by immunohistochemistry on sinonasal papillomas and nasopharyngeal carcinomas: Report on 26 cases

Background : Human papilloma virus (particularly HPV 6 and 11) has been documented in 20% to 76% of nasopharyngeal papillomas. HPV is also associated with 25% keratinizing nasopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma detected by studies using techniques of immunopathology and by modern molecular biology. Objectives: To study the role of human papilloma virus as an etiological agent in sinonasal papillomas and nasopharyngeal carcinomas (NPCs) by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Materials and Methods: A total of 26 cases of neoplasms were studied for HPV antigen. Tumors were classified histopathologically by using Hematoxylin and Eosin-stained slides. Evidence of HPV infection like koilocytic changes and HPV antigens were noted down in all 26 cases. Results: There were 14 sinonasal papillomas, 7 each of fungiform and inverted types and 12 nasopharyngeal carcinomas. All cases of fungiform papillomas had either histological (koilocytes) or immunohisochemical evidence of HPV infection. 85.5% of inverted papillomas had evidence of HPV infection either in the form of koilocytes or in the form of positive immunohistochemistry or both. 50% of nasopharyngeal carcinomas had histological and immunohistochemical (either one or both) evidence of HPV infection. Conclusion: This study, unlike other studies, has found higher rate of HPV detection in both types of Schneiderian papillomas. Not many studies have been carried out on nasopharyngeal carcinomas. We have found evidence of HPV infection in 100% of moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinomas and 33.3% cases of poorly to undifferentiated cases of NPC

A study of biological determinants of serum prostate specific antigen level in prostatic adenocarcinoma with normal, borderline, and high serum PSA levels

Objectives: To find out the reasons for discrepancy in the serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) values (normal, borderline, and high) in prostatic adenocarcinoma. Materials and Methods: It is a retrospective correlation study of serum PSA levels with the histomorphological variables and age of the patients in adenocarcinoma prostate with normal, borderline, and high serum PSA values. Age of the patients was noted down and hematoxylin and eosin-stained, paraffin-blocked sections were studied. Results: Serum PSA values were found to be directly related to histomorphological variables like Gleason grade and score, tumor cell mass to stroma ratio, necrosis, and cell size; but not with the age of the patients with prostatic adenocarcinoma. Discussion: Publications on relationship between serum PSA levels and Gleason grade and score in adenocarcinoma prostate are rarely found in the literature. Infarction (coagulation necrosis) increases serum value of PSA in benign prostatic tissue which can be true with carcinomas also, as in the present study. Various histomorphologic variables also may affect the serum PSA levels. The age of the patient and serum PSA levels in carcinoma prostate is not found directly proportional, in this study, unlike in normal individuals who show age-specific PSA ranges