The role of human papillomaviruses in oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma: a review of the evidence

摘要

Background: Oesophageal cancer (OC) is responsible for almost half a million deaths annually, worldwide and has a multifactorial aetiology, which may account for its geographical variation in incidence. The potential of human papillomaviruses (HPV) as oncogens in the tumorigenic process of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) has been widely studied, with inconclusive results. As a general trend, studies carried out in high incidence OSCC regions have reported higher rates of HPV detection in OSCC tissues in comparison to reports from low-risk settings.