Detection of human papilloma virus subtypes 16 and P16ink4a in invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the fallopian tube and concomitant squamous cell carcinoma in situ of the cervix

Abstract

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the fallopian tube is rare and often diagnosed postoperatively. Cervical cancer is considered as a long-term sequaele, resulting from sexual transmitted infection with certain common high-risk human papilloma virus (HPV) types. The role of human papilloma virus in the development of the tubal SCC is unknown. We report an unusual case of SCC of the fallopian tube, synchronously occurring with cervical SCC in situ in a 49-year-old patient. Histological examination of the entire endometrium revealed no involvement. Both tubal and cervical lesions showed the presence of high risk HPV 16 by PCR and increased expression of p16INK4a protein. Both SCC of the fallopian tube and cervical SCC in situ were positive for p63, while the non-involved tubal epithelium was positive for WT-1, but negative for p63. In conclusion, the concomitant occurrence of fallopian tube and cervical SCC can be explained by: (i) the 'field effect' of HPV infection resulting in the concomitant development of primary SCC in various sites of the female genital tract; (ii) the primary fallopian tube SSC metastasizing to the uterine cervix; or (iii) primary cervical SCC metastasizing to the fallopian tube. The detection of HPV 16 and p16INK4a in both the fallopian tube and cervical SCCs strengthens the hypothesis of the 'field effect' of HPV infection. © 2008 The Authors.