To clarify the etiological role of human papillomavirus (HPV) on the laryngeal papilloma and cancer, we examined 5 cases of laryngeal papillomas and 28 cases of laryngeal cancers (squamous cell carcinoma) by means of dot blot (Vira PapTM) hybridization, Southern blot hybridization as well as another new method, polymerase chain reaction (PCR). HPV type 6 or 11 DNA was detected in all cases of multiple papillomatosis both in adult and children. In one case of solitary papilloma, no HPV genome was detected. On the other hand, HPV type 16 and/or 18 DNA were found in 3 specimens of 28 laryngeal cancers (10.7%). This is the first report of the HPV 18 DNA detection from the head and neck cancer. From these result, it has been strongly supported that HPV type 6 and 11 play a key role at least in benign multiple papillomatosis, and HPV type 16 and 18 play a role in some malignant laryngeal tumors.
