A growing problem--human papillomavirus and head and neck cancers

High-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) are implicated in the development of a subset of head and neck cancers, especially those arising from the lingual or palatine tonsils. HPV-associated cancer of the head and neck represent a different disease entity from those associated with the traditional risk factors of tobacco and alcohol use. There has been as increase in the annual incidence of HPV-related cancers in Europe and USA in the past years. It has now become clear that a subset of the head and neck tumors is a sexually transmitted disease with distinct pathogenesis and clinical and pathological features. Research efforts are now focusing on deintensification of treatment to reduce treatment associated morbidity. The potential application of HPV targeted terapies in HPV associated cancers is an area of active research.