title: Increase in head and neck cancer in younger patients due to human papillomavirus (HPV).
abstract: The face of head and neck cancer has changed dramatically over the past 30 years. There has been a steady decline in the number of tobacco and alcohol related squamous cell carcinomas over the past 30 years, but and increasing incidence of human papillomavirus (HPV) related cancers. Some estimates suggest that 70-90% of new oropharyngeal cancers have evidence of HPV. These patients have different demographic patterns, in that they are more likely to be younger, white adults in their 40s and 50s who are never smokers or have reduced tobacco exposure. Studies have shown that a higher number of lifetime oral sex partners (>5) and a higher number of lifetime vaginal sex partners (>25) have been associated with increased risk of HPV positive head and neck cancer. People can also reduce their risk of HPV linked head and neck cancer by receiving the HPV vaccine series prior to becoming sexually active. Recent evidence suggests HPV related head and neck cancers present with different symptoms than those caused by tobacco. The most popular test for HPV status is the p16 immunohistochemical stain because it is cheap, simple, and studies have shown it to have comparable sensitivity and specificity to the previous standards. It is widely recommended that all cancers of the oropharynx be tested for the presence of HPV, and some recommend it for all head and neck cancers. Overall 2-year and 5-year survival for HPV positive head and neck cancer is significantly greater than for HPV negative cancers, likely due to HPV positive cancers being more responsive to treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, 135 Rutledge Avenue, MSC 550, Charleston, SC 29425, United States.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Young
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, 135 Rutledge Avenue, MSC 550, Charleston, SC 29425, United States.
authors.forename: Christopher C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Xiao
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, 135 Rutledge Avenue, MSC 550, Charleston, SC 29425, United States.
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, 1120 W. Michigan Street Suite 200, Indianapolis, IN, United States.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, 601 North Caroline Street, Baltimore, MD, United States.
authors.forename: Carole
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fakhry
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, 135 Rutledge Avenue, MSC 550, Charleston, SC 29425, United States. Electronic address: dayt@musc.edu.
authors.forename: Terry A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Day
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D052162:Human papillomavirus 16; D006801:Humans; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D012307:Risk Factors
keywords: HPV; HPV vaccine; Head and neck cancer; Human papillomavirus; Oropharyngeal cancer; Squamous cell carcinoma