Can human papillomavirus play an etiologic role i̇n development of bladder cancer?

Aim: It has been estimated that almost 10% of the worldwide cancer burden is linked to human papillomavirus infection. Although the association between human papillomavirus and bladder carcinoma has been extensively investigated, data on the role of human papillomavirus in bladder carcinogenesis are still controversial. The aim of the study was to assess the possible role of human papillomavirus in the development of urothelial bladder carcinomas. Material and methods: The medical records and bladder tissue specimens of 100 patients with transitional cell carcinoma of bladder who underwent transurethral resection from 2009 to 2013 were reviewed and compared with those of 50 patients with nonneoplastic disorders who served as controls. So, a total of 150 biopsy tissues of urinary bladder were re-evaluated and analyzed by polymerase chain reaction. Formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded archival tissue samples were used for Deoksiribo Nucleic Asit extraction. The designing and conducting of this study was in accordance with the ethical standards of Adnan Menderes University ethics commitee. Results : HPV DNA positivity was found at four patients with bladder cancer. Human papillomavirus types were: type 6, type 53, type 66 and type 84. Human papillomavirus type 6 is known at low risk group and the others are intermadiate risk group. There was no correlation between human papillomavirus infection and tumor development. There was a statisctical significant association between smokers and development of bladder cancer. Conclusion : Human Papillomavirus may not be an etiological risk factor for development of bladder transitional cell cancers according to our data. Key words: bladder cancer, transititonal cancers, human papilloma virus, polymerase chain reaction