Association of Mycoplasma Hominis and head and neck cancer with unknown primary.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION\nBeside HPV infection, there is currently no evidence of association between head and neck squamous cell carcinomas and microbial infections. We report the case of a cervical squamous cell carcinoma by Mycoplasma hominis.\n\n\nCASE SUMMARY\nA 20-year-old woman, consulted for a swelling on the left cervical side. Clinical examination found a large fixed mass. Biological tests found no evidence of infection. Biopsies of the cervical lesion diagnosed an HPV negative squamous cell carcinoma. Microbiological tests of 16sRNA identification showed the presence of Mycoplasma hominis in the 3 specimens. The patient was treated by induction chemotherapy associated to antibiotherapy, followed by chemo-radiotherapy.\n\n\nDISCUSSION\nThe present case suggests that oropharyngeal infection by Mycoplasma hominis might be more frequent than expected, that 16sRNA is an efficient technique to isolate this pathogen and finally that further studies are required to document its potential oncogenic role in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas.