Data Last Updated: Dec. 17, 2025

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Status

Description

***SEER Site-specific Factor 1***, effective 01/01/2018, is reserved for human papilloma virus (HPV) status. This data item applies to the following schemas. * **00071: Lip**: C003-C005, C008, C009 * **00072: Tongue Anterior**: C020-C023, C028-C029 * **00073: Gum**: C030, C031, C039, C062 * **00074: Floor of Mouth**: C040-C041, C048-C049 * **00075: Palate Hard**: C050 * **00076: Buccal Mucosa**: C060, C061 * **00077: Mouth Other**: C058-C059, C068-C069 * **00100: Oropharynx HPV-Associated (2018-2025)** *(Oropharynx (p16-))*: C019, C024, C051-C052, C090-C091, C098-C099, C100, C102-C104, C108-C109, C111 * *Primary site C111 for 2018-2024 only* * **09100: Oropharynx HPV-Associated (2026)** *(Oropharynx (p16-))*: C019, C024, C051-C052, C090-C091, C098-C099, C100, C102-C104, C108-C109 * **Oropharynx HPV-Independent** *(Oropharynx HPV-Mediated (p16+))*: C019, C024, C051-C052, C090-C091, C098-C099, C100, C102-C104, C108-C109, C111 * *Primary site C111 for 2018-2024 only* * **00112: Hypopharynx**: C129, C130-C132, C138-C139

Rationale

There is evidence that human papilloma virus (HPV) plays a role in the pathogenesis of some cancers. HPV testing may be performed for prognostic purposes; testing may also be performed on metastatic sites to aid in determination of the primary site.

Notes

***Please send questions for this data item to Ask a SEER Registrar (https://seer.cancer.gov/registrars/contact.html)*** **Note 1:** **Record HPV results based on pathological specimens** * Record the results of any HPV testing performed on pathological specimens including surgical and cytological (from cell blocks) tissue from the primary tumor or a metastatic site, including lymph nodes. * Do not record the results of blood tests or serology. **Note 2:** **Methods of HPV determination** * There are several methods for determination of HPV status. * The most frequently used test is IHC for p16 expression which is a surrogate marker for HPV infection. * Other tests (based on ISH, PCR, RT-PCR technologies) detect the viral DNA or RNA. **Note 3:** **HPV-type 16** * HPV-type 16 refers to virus type and is different from p16 overexpression (p16+) **Note 4:** **Codes are hierarchical** * Codes 10-51 are hierarchical; use the highest code that applies (10 is lowest, 51 is highest) **Note 5:** **For cases in the Oropharynx HPV-Independent schema** * If an additional HPV test is done in addition to p16, code those test results in this data item * If no additional HPV test is done * Code 10 in this data item (Schema Discriminator 2 coded to 2) **Note 6:** **For cases in the Oropharynx HPV-Associated schema** * If an additional HPV test is done in addition to p16, code those test results in this data item * If no additional HPV test is done * Code 11 in this data item if Schema Discriminator 2 is coded to 1 * Code 99 in this data item if Schema Discriminator 2 is coded to 9
Code Description
10 HPV negative by p16 test
11 HPV positive by p16 test
20 HPV negative for viral DNA by ISH test
21 HPV positive for viral DNA by ISH test
30 HPV negative for viral DNA by PCR test
31 HPV positive for viral DNA by PCR test
40 HPV negative by ISH E6/E7 RNA test
41 HPV positive by ISH E6/E7 RNA test
50 HPV negative by RT-PCR E6/E7 RNA test
51 HPV positive by RT-PCR E6/E7 RNA test
70 HPV status reported in medical records as negative, but test type is unknown
71 HPV status reported in medical records as positive, but test type is unknown
97 Test done, results not in chart
99 Not documented in medical record
HPV test not done, not assessed, or unknown if assessed