Human papillomavirus-associated poorly differentiated (small cell) neuroendocrine carcinoma of the oropharynx

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a well-known aetiologic agent of carcinomas of the anogenital tract. In the head and neck, HPV-associated squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx is a distinct entity with unique clinical, histopathological and immunohistochemical characteristics. Other head and neck malignancies associated with HPV include oropharyngeal basaloid, papillary, lymphoepithelial-like and adenosquamous carcinomas. We present herein a case of a 50-year-old male diagnosed with an HPV-related poorly differentiated (small cell) neuroendocrine carcinoma of the oropharynx. We discuss the diagnostic workup as well as the clinical course of the patient. We then review the clinicopathologic features of HPV-related oropharyngeal neuroendocrine carcinomas, which appear to be associated with a younger age at diagnosis, less tobacco exposure, and a trend for better prognosis when compared to their HPV-negative counterparts. Additional studies with larger numbers of cases are needed to understand the natural history of these tumours.