Evaluation of Relationship between Cytomegalovirus Infection and Skin Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Basal Cell Carcinoma by Using IHC Technique

BACKGROUND:
Skin squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) has high potency for aggression and metastasis; Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common form of skin cancers. These tumors are highly prevalent in middle-aged and old persons and have a high recurrence risk. Few studies showed the relationship between these tumors and cytomegalovirus (CMV). The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of CMV infection in these skin cancers.

METHODS:
In this cross-sectional study, 60 paraffin embedded tissues including 30 SCC and 30 BCC blocks with non-involved margins were collected. Then slides were prepared by cytomegalovirus specified immunohistochemical staining. They were compared with positive control case under light microscope.

FINDINGS:
From 30 SCC cases, 4 cases (13.3%) and 1 margin from non-involved cases were positive for CMV. From 30 BCC cases, 2 cases (6.7%) ,but no margin, were positive for CMV. There was no statistically significant difference in the prevalence of CMV infection according to histological grade, age, site of lesion or margins.

CONCLUSION:
The findings of this study do not support the association of CMV infection with SCC and BCC.

KEY WORDS:
Squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, cytomegalovirus, immunohistochemistry