Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Responsible For Rising Oropharyngeal Cancer In The USA?

HPV which is responsible for cervical cancer now appear to be responsible for throat cancer. A Research team tested tumor samples from 271 patients with throat cancer diagnosed from 1984 to 2004. The Human papilloma virus was found in only 16% of the samples that were from the 1980s and increased to 72% of the samples collected during 2000s.

The researchers estimated that over all, throat cancers caused by the virus have increased to 2.6 per 100,000 people in 2004 from 0.8 cases per 100,000 people in 1988. If the trend continues, by 2020 the virus will be causing more throat cancer than cervical cancer, the study concluded.

There are two vaccines Gardasil and Cervarix, targetting HPV Type 16 and other strains of the HPV but they are only for girls, to protect them from cervical cancer. Now doctors say it might be a good idea to administer the vaccines to boys as well.

See th editorial doi: 10.1200/JCO.2011.37.8893; listen to the podcast by Dr Gillison at www.jco.org/podcast