title: The role of human papillomavirus in head and neck cancer.
abstract: Over the last 20 years, there has been increasing awareness of a subset of squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck (HNSCC), i.e. HPV-positive HNSCC. These cancers seem to differ somewhat from HPV-negative HNSCC. Patients with HPV-positive HNSCC tend to be younger and have a lower intake of tobacco and alcohol. Distinct molecular profiles separate them from HPV-negative cancers and show similarities with HPV-positive cervical SCC. There is evidence that HPV-positive HNSCC is a sexually transmitted disease. Patients with HPV-positive HNSCC are often diagnosed at a late stage with large cystic lymph nodes in the neck. HPV-positive HNSCC show an affinity for the oropharynx, especially the tonsils and the base of the tongue, and tend to show low differentiation histopathologically. There is a better prognosis regardless of the treatment regimen for HPV-positive HNSCC compared with HPV-negative HNSCC, and this seems to be related to the immune system. Whether the new vaccines for HPV will protect not only against cervical cancer but also against HPV-positive HNSCC remains unknown.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oto-rhino-laryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. christel.lajer@rh.regionh.dk
authors.forename: Christel Braemer
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Lajer
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: von Buchwald
mesh_terms: D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000821:virology; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000502:physiology; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines / Q000276:immunology; D011379:Prognosis
chemical_list: D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines