Resumo

RIOS HERNANDEZ, María de los Ángeles; MELGARES RAMOS, María de los Ángeles; HERNANDEZ MENENDEZ, Maité  e  JOAN FIGUEROA, Alejandro. Epidermoid carcinoma of the conjunctiva, its possible association with human papillomavirus. Rev cubana med [online]. 2004, vol.43, n.4. ISSN 0034-7523.

The epidermoid squamous cell carcinoma of the conjunctiva occupies the second place in frequency among the occular malignant tumors. This tumor may have a lethal evolution if it is not diagnosed and treated early. Recent reports of literature show the presence of human papillomavirus 16 (HPV) in conjunctival epithelial displasias and squamous cell carcinoma. This virus may play an important role in the development of bening and malignant lesions of the conjunctiva. However, the information is scarce and contradictory and that´s why we are interested in studying a group of them. The presence of HPV16 and 18 was determined by using the PCR technique. Types 16 (66.6 %) and 18 (66.6 %) were found in premalignant lesions, whereas 50% of type 16 and 25 % of type 18 were observed in malignant lesions. It was proved the existance of viral infection due to papilloma in conjunctiva lesions, with a higher viral burden in the premalignant lesions, which may be a necessary factor for the malignant transformation in this localization.

Palavras-chave : Carcinoma epidermoide; conjuntiva; papilomavirus.