title: The epidemiology of the human papillomavirus related to oropharyngeal head and neck cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To summarize the epidemiology of human papillomavirus (HPV)-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC).
  
  
  METHODS
  Articles in the English language referenced in MEDLINE/PubMed from the year 2000 onward.
  
  
  METHODS
  Relevant articles pertaining to the epidemiology of HPV-related OSCC were selected for review, with a particular preference for articles from 2008 onward.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The incidence of HPV-related OSCC continues to increase in North America and Western Europe, with up to 70% of new oropharyngeal cancer cases being attributed to HPV, whereas data from the developing world remain lacking. There is evidence to support distinct risk factors for HPV-related OSCC as compared with HPV-unrelated OSCC. The long-term natural history of HPV infections remains unknown. HPV-related OSCC are associated with an improved prognosis both at the time of primary diagnosis and disease progression. There is preliminary evidence to show that HPV vaccination initiatives are effective in preventing HPV cervical infections, although data related to oral HPV infections are lacking.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The epidemiology of HPV-related OSCC is evolving. Further efforts are needed to characterize the natural history of oral HPV infection and its relationship with the eventual development of HPV-associated OSCC to develop effective tools for secondary prevention.
  
  
  METHODS
  NA.
authors: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A.
authors: Zhen
authors: Z
authors: Gooi
authors: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR.
authors: Jason Y K
authors: JY
authors: Chan
authors: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A.
authors: Carole
authors: C
authors: Fakhry
mesh_terms: D018450:Disease Progression; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D009959:Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology*; D027383:Papillomaviridae; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology*; D011379:Prognosis
keywords: Oropharynx; epidemiology; head and neck cancer; human papillomavirus; squamous cell carcinoma