The Link Between HPV And Throat Cancer

You might know that HPV can cause cervical cancer. But did you know it can also cause throat cancer?

Vivian Wu, M.D., a head and neck cancer surgeon at Henry Ford Health, explains how HPV causes throat cancer, why physicians are seeing a rise in HPV-related throat cancer and what you can do to protect yourself.

Q: How does HPV cause throat cancer?

A: HPV is a common virus that has many subtypes. HPV can lie dormant in the body for years before producing any symptoms of throat cancer.

We have always known that HPV can cause throat cancer, but the rate we are seeing it now is alarming. Changes in sexual practices over the last 30 years or so - specifically a greater instance of oral sex and having multiple partners - are the main reasons for the increase in diagnosis.

It's also concerning because, as a whole, we are seeing a decrease in head and neck cancers (cancers of the throat, tongue and mouth). These types of cancers are usually caused by alcohol and smoking. The only rise is in head and neck cancers is in HPV-related throat cancers, which is a clear indicator that it is a serious problem.

Q: Who is most affected by HPV-related throat cancer?

A: HPV-related throat cancer is affecting people at younger ages than non-HPV-related throat cancers. While the virus doesn't discriminate, the biggest rise is in white males.

Q: Does throat cancer present any symptoms? How is it treated?

A: For the most part, throat cancer doesn't present symptoms. But if there are symptoms, one of the most common is a painless neck mass. Other symptoms tend to be those people may not associate with cancer, like lingering ear pain, sore throat, spitting up blood, trouble swallowing or changes in voice.

The later the stage throat cancer is found, the more difficult it is to treat. We try to treat the cancer as minimally invasively as possible, with techniques such as the transoral robotic surgery (TORS). Chemotherapy and radiation have significant side effects on the throat and mouth that can affect important functions like swallowing and talking abilities.

Q: How can people protect themselves from HPV?

A:Get vaccinated. The vaccine protects against the type of HPV that causes both throat and cervical cancers. The vaccine is approved for ages 9 through 45. The best time to get vaccinated is before being exposed to the virus, but there is no way to know what someone has been exposed to. And even if you know you've been exposed, you should still get vaccinated - just know the vaccine is less effective.

It's also important to note that boys and girls should get the vaccine. HPV-related throat cancer is showing up heavily in males in part because they aren't receiving the vaccination.

Reviewed by Vivian Wu, M.D., a board-certified otolaryngologist and head and neck cancer surgeon at Henry Ford Health. Dr. Wu sees patients at Henry Ford Cancer - Detroit, Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital and Henry Ford Medical Center - Plymouth.