Johns Hopkins Pathology: Consultations

Anatomic Pathology Consult Page | Head and Neck Pathology

Human Papillomavirus

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a causative agent for a subset of carcinomas arising from the mucosal lining of the head and neck. A better understanding of the role HPV as a cancer causing agent tumors may provide new ways to effectively prevent and treat HPV-related cancers of the head and neck. Clearly, accurate detection of HPV in the cancer samples will be necessary to determine which patients will most likely benefit from HPV-directed therapy.

The Head and Neck Pathology Consultation Service at the The Johns Hopkins Hospital now provides a very reliable test to detect the presence HPV-16, the most common HPV subtype to cause cancers of the head and neck. The powerful HPV-16 in situ hybridization catalyzed signal amplification method (DAKO) is highly sensitive, is applicable to formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded clinical samples, and permits direct visualization of viral sequences within tissues.

HPV-16 detection is a service that is now provided to referring physicians. To send a sample for HPV-16 analysis, please follow these simple guidelines:

Specimens should be routinely formalin fixed and processed into a paraffin block.
One paraffin block of the tumor should be selected for HPV analysis.
If a paraffin block cannot be sent, then send four (4) unstained slides cut at four (4) microns on Chem Mate slides.
Complete the HPV Detection requisition form.
Complete the billing information form.
Forward block (or unstained slides) and surgical pathology report by courier or express mail to:

Johns Hopkins Medical Laboratories
1620 McElderry Street
Reed Hall Room 315
Baltimore, MD 21205
Phone 410-955-2405
Fax 410-614-7712

IMPORTANT NOTE - Unstained Slides Requirement
Note that all tissue (unstained slides) must be submitted on a plus charged slide. The Immunopathology Laboratory recommends a white plus charged slide that is available from Cardinal Health. The catalogue number for the white plus slide is M6159-6, however one must specify to the vendor whether to order as one gross (pack of 144 slides), one case (10 packs per case).