Prognosis of tumors positive for human papilloma virus in head and neck cancers varies according to site

Patients with cancer of the throat and who are positive for the Human Papilloma virus (HPV+) have a good prognosis, but until now the effect of being HPV+ on the prognosis of tumors located elsewhere in the head and neck was unknown. Researchers have now shown that HPV status appears to have no prognostic effect on the outcome of primary radiotherapy in head and neck cancer outside the oropharynx (the part of the throat located behind the mouth, and which contains the soft palate and the base of the tongue).
Source: ScienceDaily Headlines - Category: Science Source Type: news