Human papillomavirus DNA in adenosquamous carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva.

The tissues from 16 cases of adenosquamous carcinoma (pseudoglandular squamous cell carcinoma or adenoacanthoma of the sweat glands of Lever) and 26 cases of invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva were studied for the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) genomes using Southern blot hybridization on fresh tissues. Types 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 16, and 18 HPV DNA probes and in situ hybridization were used on formalin-fixed paraffin sections using type 2, 6, 16, and 18 HPV DNA probes. Only one case of adenosquamous carcinoma contained an undetermined type of HPV DNA, whereas five cases of squamous cell carcinoma contained HPV DNA. Three of these five cases contained type 16, one type 6 HPV, and two an undetermined type. These results demonstrate HPV DNA associations with malignancy of the vulva that are similar to those observed elsewhere in the genital tract.