The association between viruses and skin cancer is increasingly recognized in a number of
neoplasms, that is, cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, Kaposi sarcoma, nasopharyngeal
carcinoma, and Merkel cell carcinoma, as well as hematolymphoid malignancies such as
adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma and NK/T-cell lymphoma (nasal type) and post-transplant
lymphoproliferative disorders. Molecular assays are increasingly used to diagnose and
manage these diseases. In this review, molecular features of tumor viruses and related host
responses are explored. The tests used to identify such features are summarized. Evaluation
of the utility of these assays for diagnosis and/or management of specific tumor types
is presented.
Semin Cutan Med Surg 31:247-257 © 2012 Frontline Medical Communications