Penile Cancers Attributed to Human Papillomavirus Are Associated with Improved Survival for Node-positive Patients. Findings from a Norwegian Cohort Study Spanning 50 Years

Abstract

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a risk factor for the development of penile squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC). It remains inconclusive whether HPV-related PSCC has a different prognosis from non-HPV-related PSCC. Objective: To investigate the relationship between HPV status and survival as well as temporal changes in the proportion of HPV-related PSCC. Design, setting, and participants: A retrospective cohort of 277 patients treated in Norway between 1973 and 2022 was investigated for HPV DNA in tumor tissue. Clinicopathological variables and disease course were registered. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis: Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression were used to investigate the determinants of cancer-specific survival (CSS). The chi-square test for trend in proportions enabled investigation of temporal changes in the HPV-related proportion of PSCC patients treated in Western Norway (n = 211). Results and limitations: HPV DNA was detected in tumor tissue from 131 (47%) patients. Stratified by HPV status, 5-yr CSS did not differ between groups (p = 0.37). When investigating only node-positive patients, however, presence of HPV DNA was an independent predictor of better survival in multivariable Cox regression after adjustment for age, nodal stage, and adjuvant therapy (hazard ratio 0.54, 95% confidence interval: [0.30-0.99], p = 0.04). In cases from Western Norway, an increasing proportion of HPV-related cases over time was found (p = 0.01). The main limitation is the retrospective study design. Conclusions: HPV DNA in tumor tissue was associated with significantly better CSS for node-positive patients. The proportion of HPV DNA-positive PSCC has increased significantly in Western Norway over the past 50 yr. Patient summary: We investigated the impact of human papillomavirus (HPV) on the survival of penile cancer patients treated over a 50-yr period in Norway. We found that for patients with lymph node metastasis, survival was better for HPV-related cases. We also found that the proportion of cases due to HPV has increased in Western Norway. Keywords: Cancer-specific survival; Human papillomavirus; Net survival; Penile cancer; Penile squamous cell carcinoma.