Clinical characteristics of patients with multiple potentially human papillomavirus-related malignancies

Background. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a causative factor in squamous cell carcinomas of the anus, penis, vagina, vulva, and head and neck, and adenocarcinoma of the cervix. We examined the demographics, clinical characteristics, and timing of multiple potentially HPV-related cancers in individual patients. Methods. One hundred forty-three patients were identified with 300 potentially HPV-related cancers. The median follow-up from index and second cancer was 18.5 years and 3.2 years, respectively. Results. Median age at index and second cancer was 45 and 60.5 years of age, respectively, with a median interval of 11 years. Cervical cancer was the most common initial diagnosis (61.7%), whereas head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) was the most common second cancer (57.6%). Conclusion. These data suggest differential patterns for development of multiple HPV-related cancers based upon clinical characteristics. Prospective longitudinal and population-based studies are warranted to understand the impact of these findings and opportunities for intervention and screening.