Health News
2007-05-11
HPV linked to
throat cancer; oral sex ups risk
Human
papillomavirus (HPV) causes some throat cancers in both men
and women, says a new study in The
New Engl
Human
papillomavirus (HPV) causes some throat cancers in both men
and women, says a new study in TheNew England Journal of Medicine. And having
multiple oral sex partners tops the list of sex
practices that boost risk for the HPV-linked cancer.
"People should be
reassured that oropharyngeal cancer is relatively
uncommon, and the overwhelming majority of people with an
oral HPV infection probably will not get throat
cancer," said study author Maura Gillison, an
assistant professor of oncology and epidemiology at
Johns Hopkins University, in a release. Consistent
condom use may reduce risk.
In
Gillison’s study of 100 men and women newly diagnosed
with oropharyngeal cancer (located on the tonsils,
back of the tongue, and throat) and 200 control
patients without cancer, those who had evidence of
prior HPV infection were 32 times more likely to
have developed the cancer. This was much higher
than the rate for smokers (three times) and
drinkers (two times). Study participants who reported
having more than six oral sex partners during their lifetime
were 8.6 times more likely to develop the HPV-linked
cancer. In a surprising twist, Gillison said the data
showed no added risk for HPV carriers who smoke and
drink alcohol. "It’s the virus that drives the
cancer," explained Gillison. "Since HPV has already
disrupted the cell enough to steer its change to
cancer, then tobacco and alcohol use may have no
further impact."
Oral sex,
including both fellatio and cunnilingus, is the main mode of
transit for oral HPV infection, the investigators say,
although mouth-to-mouth transmission remains possible
and was not ruled out by the current study.
HPVs also can be
transmitted by skin contact and are found in the mucus
of the genital tract, and in saliva, urine, and semen. Both
men and women contract the virus—which is
believed to infect a large percentage of people
worldwide at some point in their lives—in equal
numbers. Most HPV infections pass with few or no
symptoms, but a small percentage of men and women who
acquire cancer-causing or "high-risk" strains, such as
HPV 16, may develop a cancer. HPV-linked cancers currently
include oral, anal, cervical, vaginal, penile, and
vulvar cancers.
Gillison noted
that the new FDA-approved vaccine known by the trade
name Gardasil can prevent genital HPV infections in girls
and young women but has not yet been shown to prevent
infection in boys and men. Nor is it known whether the
vaccine can prevent oral HPV infections and oral
cancers, which are more common in men. (The
Advocate)
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