Introduction: p16 is a tumor suppressor gene, over expression of which is considered as a surrogate marker of oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Moreover, p16 over expression correlates with good prognosis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the frequency of p16 overexpression in HNSCC in our institute and its association with clinicopathologic parameters. Methods: We performed p16 immunohistochemistry (IHC) on 40 cases of HNSCC in a tertiary care teaching hospital. Association of p16 over expression with various clinicopathologic parameters was evaluated. Results: In our study the most common site involved was oral cavity in 11 patients followed by sino-nasal region in 7 patients. Ca Nasopharynx was diagnosed in 6 patients, Ca oropharynx in 5 patients and lip was involved in 4 patient. In our study p16 over expression was noted in 40% (14 cases), while 60% (26 cases) were negative for p16 over expression. The relationship between histopathological type of squamous cell carcinoma and p16 immunohistochemistry is statistically in significant. Conclusion: HPV16 is the subtype most every now and again connected with HNC, and current clinically pertinent recognition strategies center around distinguishing the presence of HPV16 by PCR or ISH, or identification of p16 protein articulation in tumor tests by IHC. Moreover, p16 expression was found to be associated with some good prognostic parameters like lack of nodal metastasis; however, no significant association was noted with overall disease-free survival.

Introduction: p16 is a tumor suppressor gene, over expression of which is considered as a surrogate marker of oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Moreover, p16 over expression correlates with good prognosis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the frequency of p16 overexpression in HNSCC in our institute and its association with clinicopathologic parameters. Methods: We performed p16 immunohistochemistry (IHC) on 40 cases of HNSCC in a tertiary care teaching hospital. Association of p16 over expression with various clinicopathologic parameters was evaluated. Results: In our study the most common site involved was oral cavity in 11 patients followed by sino-nasal region in 7 patients. Ca Nasopharynx was diagnosed in 6 patients, Ca oropharynx in 5 patients and lip was involved in 4 patient. In our study p16 over expression was noted in 40% (14 cases), while 60% (26 cases) were negative for p16 over expression. The relationship between histopathological type of squamous cell carcinoma and p16 immunohistochemistry is statistically in significant. Conclusion: HPV16 is the subtype most every now and again connected with HNC, and current clinically pertinent recognition strategies center around distinguishing the presence of HPV16 by PCR or ISH, or identification of p16 protein articulation in tumor tests by IHC. Moreover, p16 expression was found to be associated with some good prognostic parameters like lack of nodal metastasis; however, no significant association was noted with overall disease-free survival.