When you hear about the increasing incidence of HPV, you might think of cervical cancer. So you might be surprised to find that this sexually transmitted virus is also the main cause of pharyngeal cancer (oropharyngeal cancer), and is transmitted between people through oral sex.
Although oral cancer has always been associated with smoking, head and neck surgeon Brandon Prendes says current research shows that HPV is directly related to certain laryngeal cancers. In fact, these cancers are on the rise and will soon overtake new cases of cervical cancer, he said.
According to the centers for disease control and prevention, new cases of laryngeal cancer diagnosed annually may be related to HPV. About 7% of adults have oral HPV, but only about 1% have specific types associated with throat cancer: HPV16.
What are the risks?
The number one risk for oral HPV infection and developing HPV associated pharyngeal cancer is multiple oral sex partners, says Dr Prendes. Having more partners increases the risk for both men and women.
The researchers say women have fewer throat cancers associated with HPV because they may have developed an immune response against cervical cancer. Men don't have the same immunity.
Smoking also increases risk, Dr. Prendes said. If you smoke at least a pack a day for 10 years, you are at your greatest risk.
How do you limit your risks?
Here are five ways to help you limit your risk of HPV-related throat cancer, according to Dr. Prendes.
Limit number of lifetime sexual partners. The increase in risk involved with greater numbers of sexual partners is even greater for oral sexual partners. Also, use condoms or dental dams consistently for some protection.Get children and young adults vaccinated. For males and females between ages 9 and 26, a three-round HPV vaccine can ward off HPV infection.Get screened. Regular screening increases the chances you’ll catch a tumor early. Your doctor will feel your neck, examine your throat and inspect your mouth.Visit your dentist. Get regular dental checkups because dentists are often the first practitioners to notice abnormalities with the tongue and tonsils.Limit smoking and alcohol. Quit smoking and reduce alcohol consumption to cut your risk.
What symptoms should you watch for?
The symptoms of HPV-related throat cancer symptoms can often go largely, Dr. Prendes says, because they're difficult to recognize and categorize. If any of the symptoms lasts beyond two weeks, see your doctor or an ear, nose and throat specialist.
Neck mass or swellingEar pain (like something is stuck in the back of your throat)Snoring (as a new issue, without sudden weight gain)
HPV oral is slow to develop, but quick to spread.
HPV - related working spread quickly to the lymph nodes. It 's not that the tumors spread quickly due to issues with the immune system - they spread quickly for unknown. Having clear that they show up first as large swollen lymph nodes because the body has an immune response at the site of the lymph nodes once tumor reaches this area, causing swelling and a noticeable neck mass, Dr. Prendes says. So, these working are, diagnosed in advanced stages.
It can take up to 30 years for HPV-related throat cancer to appear, making It most common in adults between the ages of 40 and 60. The Oral cancer Foundation reports It's growing fastest among men, ages 25 to 55.
Dr. Prendes says researchers have developed a clinical test that searches for the P16 molecular marker in biopsy samples, a marker that indicates HPV-related cancer. Successful treatment and cure rates are high if you know what to look for and know your risk, he says.
Overall, HPV-related injuries are well to surgery and radiation. Between 90 and 95 percent of cases have five-year, disease-free survivorship rates, he says.
Although researchers are still learning more about HPV-related throat cancer, the verdict about whether HPV is truly to blame is in, Dr. Prendes says.
"I don't think anyone in our field or any epidemiologist would argue the link between HPV and throat cancer at this point," he says.
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