HPV-Associated Head and Neck Cancers

Recognizing the association between human papillomavirus (HPV) and squamous cell head and neck cancers (HNCs) — particularly oropharyngeal cancers — is perhaps the most important advance in our understanding of these malignancies in the last 2 decades. Authors of a recent monograph reviewed findings from a National Cancer Institute–sponsored committee to discuss the epidemiology, history, and diagnosis of HPV-positive HNCs. Here are the key findings.

Epidemiology: Incidence of HPV-positive HNCs has risen quickly, with elevated risk linked to greater numbers of sexual partners. In particular, having more oral-sex partners raises risk for oropharyngeal cancers (tonsil, base of tongue, pharynx), which have been causally linked to HPV-16 exposur…