The Human Papillomavirus Connection

A rise in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (cancers found in the back of the tongue and throat) are being found in a much younger population. Young men and women without the traditional risk factors, like smoking and drinking, are part of a growing trend of patients thought to have contracted the disease from exposure to the human papillomavirus, or HPV.


What is Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)?

The human papillomaviruses or HPVs are a group of more than 150 related viruses. The most common types are found on the skin and appear as warts seen on the hand. More than 40 of these viruses can be easily spread through direct skin-to-skin contact during vaginal, anal, and oral sex. HPV can also infect the genital areas of males and females. According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), genital HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection. There are at least 40 HPV types that can affect the genital areas. Some of these are low-risk and cause genital warts while high-risk types can cause cervical or other types of genital cancer. The high-risk HPV types may also cause head and neck cancer, also called oropharyngeal cancer, which is becoming more prevalent.

How is throat cancer linked to HPV?

There are high risk and low risk types of HPV. The low risk types can cause genital warts or no symptoms and do not typically cause cancer. High risk types, especially types 16 and 18, are associated with oropharyngeal cancers (or cancers of the tonsils, base of tongue and throat). Unfortunately, oropharyngeal cancer associated with HPV infection has increased dramatically over the past 20 years in young men and women without traditional risk factors, like smoking and drinking.

Why is HPV-derived head and neck cancer becoming more prevalent?

The epidemiology of oral HPV infection is not well understood. However, HPV has long been known to be present in the genital area and to be a significant cause of cervical, vulvar, penile, and anogenital carcinoma. It is believed that an increased number of people are engaging in oral sex practices and as a result are contracting HPV in the head and neck region, resulting in a higher rate of head and neck cancers.

Signs and Symptoms

  • A lump in the neck
  • Lump or sore in mouth or throat
  • Hoarseness or change in voice
  • Swallowing problems or pain
  • An earache that doesn’t go away
  • Bleeding: nose, mouth or throat
  • Numbness





What are the symptoms of HPV-related head and neck cancer?

Symptoms include hoarseness, pain or difficulty swallowing, pain while chewing, a lump in the neck, or non-healing sores on the neck. If you have any of these symptoms, speak with your doctor.


Recent research could explain the increase of oral cancer incidence in young adults, a group traditionally at low risk. This phenomenon has been at least partly attributed to the rise of the human-papillomavirus (HPV), a cancer-causing virus that can be transmitted through oral sex.

How should I protect myself?

Consistent and correct use of condoms can reduce the transmission of HPVs between sexual partners, but because there are areas not covered by a condom, infection may still occur. It is recommended that girls and women between 9 and 26, and boys and men between 9 and 21 years of age should be vaccinated for HPV. Currently, there are three vaccines approved for the prevention of HPV: Gardasil® VIS*, Gardasil®9 and Cervarix®(exclusively for girls). The vaccines are safe and highly effective in preventing infections with HPV types 16 and 18. Gardasil® VIS* and Gardasil®9 also prevent infection with HPV types 6 and 11, which may cause genital warts, benign tumors or no symptoms at all. Gardasil®9 also prevents infection with HPV types 19, 31,33, 45, 52 and 58, which cause anal, cervical, vulvar and vaginal cancers. These vaccines are one of the best ways parents can prevent cancer in their children. Regularly visit your dentist or physician. Ask that they perform an oral, head and neck exam at each visit.

HPV-induced head and neck cancer has been well demonstrated to respond to almost all forms of therapy, including surgery, external beam radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. New technologies have been developed that greatly improve treatment response. The use of robotic surgery followed by a course of radiation treatment has had positive outcomes. At Mount Sinai, the use of robotic surgery and radiation, with no chemotherapy required, resulted in three-year survival rates of 90 percent, and significantly improve patient quality of life.

How does the robotic procedure work? What are the benefits?


How prevalent is HPV-derived head and neck cancer?


What is the long-term prognosis for people with HPV-derived head and neck cancer?


My significant other is genital HPV positive yet has no history of cervical cancer, can I get oropharyngeal cancer by kissing her or having oral sex with her?

Yes. Transmission occurs through sexual contact and partners have routinely exchanged virus early in their relationship.

Do men or women get this more frequently?


Why are men at higher risk for this cancer?


Is there a way to determine if I am oral HPV positive?


Who should get screened?

People with a history of tobacco or alcohol use, a history of oral lesions or exposure to radiation therapy, and those with 5 or more sexual partners should be screened. Symptoms to be aware of include hoarseness, pain on swallowing, difficulty swallowing, pain on chewing, a lump in the neck, or non-healing sores.

How do I get screened for HPV- related throat cancer?

People who have a persistent sore throat or enlarged lymphnodes should be examined. Getting screened is quick and painless. Doctors place a very thin, flexible telescope, the size of a piece of spaghetti, with a miniature camera on its tip, into the nose to examine the throat structures, including the vocal cords.

Where did I get HPV from?


Can the vaccine be used as treatment if I already have HPV-induced oropharyngeal cancer?

No. Patients with known HPV-induced oropharyngeal cancer do not appear to benefit from vaccination as the vaccination is used for prevention, not treatment.

What new research is ongoing to better understand and prevent HPV-derived head and neck cancer?

The Mount Sinai Medical Center will initiate one of the first HPV vaccines for patients who have been diagnosed with HPV-induced head and neck cancer. Also, specialists are currently evaluating the relationship between women with HPV and their sexual partners who develop oral cancer to determine ways to screen patients, treat patients, and educate the public.

Where should I go if I want to learn more about HPV-derived head and neck cancer?

If you would like to learn more, please refer to the many resources below. If you think you or a loved one may be at risk, please consult your doctor.

HPV-related Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Resources

HPV Vaccinations Can Help Prevent Oral, Head and Neck Cancers
Dr. Cherie-Ann Nathan

HNCA Board Member and Head and Neck Surgeon

Frank Summers

Survivor of HPV-derived squamous cell carcinoma tonsil cancer​

Scott Vetter

Survivor of HPV-related tongue cancer

Scott Vetter And Dr. Nathan

Discuss HPV-related head and neck cancers

1-866-792-HNCA (4622)

National Spokesperson for HNCA & squamous cell carcinoma survivor

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