Human papillomaviruses 6/11, 16/18 and 31/33/51 are not associated with squamous cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder

OBJECTIVE: To assess high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV), mainly HPV type 16, 18, 31 and 33 (an important aetiological factor in squamous cell carcinoma, SCC, of the anogenital region) in SCC of the urinary bladder. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixteen SCC from the urinary bladder were evaluated using non-isotopic in situ hybridization with a sensitive detection system for the presence of high-risk HPV 16/18, or 31/33/51, and for HPV6/11, a low-risk type commonly found in condylomata. Previously published studies were also reviewed and assessed. RESULTS: No high-risk HPV was found in any of the SCC of the bladder evaluated. Previous reports identified nine HPV-positive SCC of a total of 105, including the present series. In four of these positive cases, HPV types were found that are considered a high risk in anogenital carcinomas. CONCLUSION: From the present and previous results, we conclude that HPV has no major role in the pathogenesis of SCC of the urinary bladder.