RESUMEN
The aim of this work was to study HSV1,2 as a risk factor in laryngeal tumors through the detection of the virus DNA using polymerase chain reaction [PCR]. The study group consisted of 40 patients presented by laryngeal masses. Biopsy was taken by direct laryngoscopy and each specimen was divided into two portions; one for histopathological study and according to its results the patients were divided into two groups: Group A, 20 patients, with mean age 58.7 years, having malignant laryngeal tumors and group B, 20 patients with mean age 34.4 years, having benign laryngeal tumors. The other portion of the specimen was examined using PCR for detection of herpes simplex 1,2 viruses DNA. The study showed that 55% of patients in group A [11 out of 20 patients with malignant laryngeal tumors] were positive for HSV1,2 DNA by PCR, while in group B [patients with benign laryngeal masses], all patients were negative for HSV1,2 DNA by PCR. The histopathological study showed that all malignant tumors in group A were invasive squamous cell carcinoma [SCC] with the highest percentage in grade I [40%]