Oropharyngeal carcinoma: a sexually transmitted disease

  • Willie F P van Heerden University of Pretoria
  • Andre W van Zyl University of Pretoria
Keywords: HPV, oropharyngeal cancer, oral sex, sexually transmitted disease

Abstract

Human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) is on the increase and accounts for 18% to 63% of OPC. It occurs mostly in young males with no other identifiable risk factors. The vast majority of HPV-associated OPC is attributable to HPV16. The prognosis of patients with HPV-positive OPC is better than patients with HPV-negative OPC. Oral HPV infection is linked to sexual transmission. The natural history, prevalence and possible risk factors in local communities should be studied to implement appropriate prevention strategies.

Author Biography

Willie F P van Heerden, University of Pretoria
BChD, MChD (Oral Path), FCPath(SA)Oral Path, PhD, DSc Department of Oral Pathology and Oral Biology, University of Pretoria
Published
2010-06-28
Issue
Vol 52, No 6 - November/December 2010
Section
Scientific letters
By submitting manuscripts to SAFP, authors of original articles are assigning copyright to the South African Academy of Family Physicians. Copyright of review articles are assigned to the Publisher, Medpharm Publications (Pty) Ltd, unless otherwise specified. Authors may use their own work after publication without written permission, provided they acknowledge the original source. Individuals and academic institutions may freely copy and distribute articles published in SAFP for educational and research purposes without obtaining permission.