Papillomavirus and head and neck cancer

Tobacco and alcohol consumption are the main risk factors for head and neck cancers. Papillomavirus (HPV) infection was recently associated with the development of malignant tumors of the oropharynx, according to molecular and biological arguments. We describe the oncogenic mechanisms of HPV infections, the epidemiological and clinical aspects of associated head and neck cancers, their prognosis, and issues of specific therapeutic strategies.