Differences in incidence and survival of oral cavity and pharyngeal cancers between Germany and the United States depend on the HPV-association of the cancer site

Oral cavity and pharyngeal cancers (OCPC) include cancers of the lip, oral cavity, and pharynx. Together, this group of cancers accounts for over 500,000 new cancer cases per year worldwide [1]. In 2007, the WHO concluded that human papillomavirus (HPV) type 16 is a cause of some subtypes of OCPC [2]. Many epidemiological and molecular studies have meanwhile provided evidence for this causal link, particularly for squamous cell cancers of the oropharynx, the tonsils and parts of the tongue [3]. Consequently, a paradigm shift in the understanding of OCPC has occurred.
Source: Oral Oncology - Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Source Type: research