Human papillomavirus is more frequently detected in the pelvic than non-pelvic area in patients with squamous cell carcinoma in situ (Bowen’s disease)

Background The detection rate of human papillomavirus (HPV) in Bowen’s disease (BD) varies greatly. Objectives To detect HPV DNA in BD samples using next-generation sequencing (NGS) and compare HPV detection rates between pelvic and non-pelvic BD. Materials and Methods We evaluated 99 patients with BD in our institution. DNA was extracted from formalin-fixed and paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissue blocks. The presence of HPV DNA material was detected using special kit-based NGS technology. Clinical characteristics and HPV detection rates were then compared between pelvic and non-pelvic BD samples. Results HPV was detected in 26 (26.3%) BD samples. A total of 10 types of α-HPV was detected: HPV 16, 53, 31, 58, 66, 26, 27, 57, 45, and 72. The most common HPV type was 16 (12.1%). Only two types (27 and 57) were frequently classified as cutaneous type, and the rest were mucosal types. The HPV detection rate was significantly higher in pelvic BD (45.2%) compared to non-pelvic BD (17.6%). Conclusion The present study suggests that sexually transmitted mucosal α-HPV plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of BD, especially in the pelvic region.