HPV and oral cancer
Human papillomavirus ( HPV) is known to cause several diseases, and some of them fall under the high-risk category. Among them, HPV-16 comes under the high-risk category and is associated with various cancers, including oral cancer.
In almost all cases, oral cancer is related to tobacco use. In the majority of cases, men are more affected than women. Usually, oral cancer is preceded by some potentially malignant conditions. However, recent findings have shown that some women in their mid-30s and older who have never smoked or used tobacco are also being diagnosed with oral cancer. This suggests that HPV may play a significant role in such cases.
HPV related oral cancers most often affect the tongue, tonsil, and throat. While effective screening methods exist for cervical cancer caused by HPV, detecting HPV-associated oral cancers remains challenging, as they often progress silently without obvious early symptoms.
It is always important to detect the signs and symptoms of cancer at the earliest, as it is crucial for better treatment outcomes and decreasing morbidity and mortality. Hence, dentists play an important role in detecting oral cancer. Thus, routine checkups are important in identifying the warning signs, such as ulcers, patches, or growths in the mouth.
Share your thoughts on HPV and oral cancer?
MBH/AB