Human papillomavirus and oropharyngeal cancer: what you need to know in 2009

Curr Treat Options Oncol. 2009 Dec;10(5-6):296-307. doi: 10.1007/s11864-009-0113-5. Epub 2009 Sep 19.

Abstract

Oropharyngeal cancer has demonstrated a steady increase in incidence over the past 20 years in contrast to declining numbers of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) overall. Recent evidence has found that high-risk strains of human papillomavirus (HPV) are the likely cause of the changing epidemiology of oropharyngeal cancer. HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer has a molecular, epidemiological, and clinical profile that is distinct from non-HPV HNSCC. Clinicians managing oropharyngeal HNSCC need to be aware of differences in the HPV HNSCC population which may impact treatment outcomes. Testing of HNSCC tumor tissue for HPV using validated and precise techniques should be performed when feasible.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Alphapapillomavirus / genetics
  • Alphapapillomavirus / immunology
  • Alphapapillomavirus / isolation & purification
  • Alphapapillomavirus / pathogenicity*
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / epidemiology
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / virology*
  • Child
  • DNA Probes, HPV
  • DNA, Viral / analysis
  • Female
  • Humans
  • In Situ Hybridization
  • Incidence
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / epidemiology
  • Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / virology*
  • Papillomavirus Infections / diagnosis
  • Papillomavirus Infections / epidemiology*
  • Papillomavirus Infections / transmission
  • Papillomavirus Infections / virology
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods
  • RNA, Viral / analysis
  • Risk Factors
  • Sexual Behavior
  • Survival Rate

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • DNA Probes, HPV
  • DNA, Viral
  • RNA, Viral