Identification of the role of H. pylori in HNSCC tumors and margin healthy tissues and its association with demographic and clinicopathologic characteristics

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVESHelicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a bacterium known for its association with gastric disease, but its presence and role in extra-gastric sites, such as head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), have gained attention. The aim of this study was to investigate the detection of H. pylori in HNSCC tumors and margin healthy tissues and its possible association with demographic and clinicopathologic features.MATERIALS AND METHODSA total of ۶۲ patients diagnosed with HNSCC were enrolled in this study. Tumor and margin healthy tissues were obtained during surgery and Helicobacter pylori was diagnosed by PCR method targeting glmM and ۱۶S rRNA genes. Demographic information, including age and sex, and clinicopathologic characteristics such as tumor stage, lymph node involvement, and histological grade were obtained from medical records.RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONIn ۶۲ HNSCC patients, Helicobacter pylori was detected in ۳۲.۲۵% of tumor tissues and ۱۱.۲۹% of margin healthy tissues. Statistical analysis showed that there was a significant association between Helicobacter pylori infection in tumor tissue and margin healthy tissues (P = ۰.۰۰۱). Although most cases with positive H. pylori infection in tumor tissue were at advanced stages compared with early stages (۶۰%), the presence of H. pylori in tumor tissue showed no statistically significant association with the stage of tumor progression (P=۰.۰۵). In addition, there was no significant association between the detection of H. pylori in tumor tissues and gender, age, alcohol, smoking, opium consumption, and histological grade. Also, in healthy peripheral tissues, H. pylori diagnosis showed no significant association with demographic or clinicopathological characteristics.CONCLUSIONThis study demonstrated the presence of H. pylori in HNSCC tumor tissues and margin-healthy tissues. Detection of Helicobacter pylori in most tumor tissues was associated with advanced tumor stage. Although ۶۵% of H. pylori-positive cases were over ۶۱ years of age, this association was not significant. These results suggest a potential role of H. pylori in HNSCC development and progression. Further research is needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and explore potential therapeutic implications.

کلیدواژه ها:

Grade ، head and neck squamous cell carcinoma ، Helicobacter pylori