Herpes simplex virus-infected squamous cell carcinoma: a case report
Sarah H Brown, Vanessa States, Abaseen Khan Afghan, Gowri Satyanarayana
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Herpes simplex virus (HSV)-1 is a highly prevalent, non-oncogenic virus that has higher morbidity in immunocompromised hosts. Its most common clinical manifestation is superficial ulceration of the integument or mucus membranes. CASE PRESENTATION: A 65-year-old woman with a history of acute myelogenous leukemia treated with allogenic peripheral blood stem cell transplant presented for resection of an ulcerated buccal squamous cell carcinoma. We report a case of HSV-1-infected malignant cells discovered on histopathological examination of the carcinoma specimen ultimately treated with valacyclovir. CONCLUSIONS: HSV-1 is not considered an oncogenic virus itself but may increase risk of malignant progression. Cancer cells are vulnerable to superimposed viral infections, including HSV-1, which likely led to the findings in this case.