ABSTRACT

Background: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) accounts for nearly 5% of all cancers and is a serious issue in public health globally. HNSCC includes a large group of tumors that are categorized as oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (OPSCC) or oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC). Also some Studies have reported possibilityassociation between some of important virus such as human papilloma virus (HPV) and EBV infection in OSCC.

Aim: To combine the findings of previous studies to assess important viruses in OSCC.

Methods: We searched Web of science, PubMed and Scopus using key words such as oral squamous cell carcinomas, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, infection and virus. The search period was 2000 -2020. Standard laboratory test and standard methods should be used in the studies articles.

Result: Of the 33 selected studies, 19 studies were related to HPV, 9 studies were related to EBV and 5 studies were both viruses, respectively. The prevalence of HPV infection in OSCC varied from 4 to 51.4% and the prevalence of EBV infection in OSCC ranged from 7 to 72.7%. These two types of HPV are high risk. In these studies, 28 studies indicated the possibility of HPV and EBV viruses affecting patients with OSCC, and the results of 5 studies indicate no effect.

Conclusion:The findings of this study indicate that HPV and EBV infections are significantly associated with OSCC based on epidemiological studies. This finding implies that HPV can be a possible cause for OSCC. However the mechanism for HPV and EBV transmission to the oral cavity is yet unknown and there is a need for further research in this regard.

Key words: Oral squamous cell carcinomas, Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, Squamous cell carcinoma, Infection, Virus