Detection of human papillomavirus in papillomas of oral cavity

The oral cavity is exposed to many harmful factors among others: tobacco, alcohol and viral infection e.g. human papillomaviruses (HPV). HPV belongs to a family of tumorigenic viruses and induces cutaneous and mucosal proliferations of epithelial cells. The aim of our study was to estimate the frequency of HPV occurrence in papillomas of oral cavity in the Podlasie region. The study included 38 papillomas of oral cavity. HPV was found in 14 cases (36.8%). High risk HPV was present in 12 papillomas, while low risk HPV was detected in 2 papillomas.