Liquid phase human papillomavirus genotype analysis of aspirated metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: Fine needle aspiration supernatant is a rich source of tumor DNA that can increase the diagnostic yield.

The current standard of practice for patients with HNSC who undergo FNA is to construct a cell block and then discard the supernatant. This supernatant is a rich source of tumor DNA that can be used to detect HPV status. It should not be wasted.