Human papillomavirus: changing paradigms in oropharyngeal cancer.
The human papillomavirus (HPV) has recently been identified as an important etiologic agent in the development of squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx. The HPV- associated cancers appear to have a different biology than the HPV-negative cancers, and affect a population that is more likely to be young, male, Caucasian, and nonsmoking. More importantly, however, is the recognition that patients with an HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer have a distinctly better survival after treatment than those patients with HPV-negative tumors, although their prognosis is significantly worse if there is a history of tobacco abuse. HPV-associated oropharynx cancer should be recognized as a new biologic entity and studied separately from HPV-negative cancers in future clinical trials. The potential for disease prevention with the use of the current HPV vaccines is discussed.
Adelstein
David J
DJ
Department of Solid Tumor Oncology, Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Institute, Desk R-35, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA. adelstd@ccf.org
Rodriguez
Cristina P
CP
D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy / Q000821:virology*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D009959:Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy / Q000821:virology*; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy / Q000821:virology*; D015996:Survival Rate