What to know about HPV (human papilloma virus) that is infected by sexuality as a cause of throat and tongue cancer

A warning is ringing in the thought that "cancer is not infected". Generally, factors such as heredity are major in cancer and prevention is difficult, but it is inevitable that you will regret if you carcinize in the future due to a sexually transmitted infection that should have been prevented. It is important to have correct knowledge.

Contact infectiousHuman papilloma virus(Human papillomavirus: HPV)It contributes to carcinogenesis by degrading cancer suppression genes. HPV isCervical cancer(Dictionary)Although it may be relatively widely known to be the cause,Oral cancer(Kokuguengan)It is not well known that it is involved also in tongue cancer (cancer) and infection by sex acts by hand or mouth. There are many men who thought "There is nothing to do with men".

Details are as below.Sexually Transmitted HPV Linked To Certain Head & Neck Cancers

Researchers at the Roswell Park Cancer Institute (Roswell Park Cancer Institute: RPCI) in Buffalo, NY claimed the need for HPV vaccination for young men and women to prevent head and neck cancers It is.

Some of the head and neck cancers (generic name of cancer that occurs in lips, oral cavity, nasal cavity, sinus cavity, pharynx, larynx, etc.) are HPV 16 (one of HPV types) The evidence that it is strongly related is increasing. HPV is currently one of the most spread sexually transmitted diseases, in the United States an estimated 70% of men and women are said to be infected with HPV at least once in a lifetime.

Electron micrograph of human papilloma virus (HPV).


According to Dr. Thom Loree medical doctor of RPCI head and neck surgeons, cancer involving HPV 16 is mainly the root of the tongueTonsil(Lonto),Soft palate(Number of people)It is said to occur. In the past decade RPCI has tripled cases of throat cancer.

According to Dr. Saurin Popat, medical surgeon belonging to RPCI, since 2007, HPPC has been examined for all head and neck cancers treated by RPCI and data on this ongoing examination and pre-2007 cancer Taken together the cell test results, 50 to 60% of head and neck cancers treated with RPCI are HPV positive.

HPV has more than 100 types, each numbered. Among them, the group infected by sexual activity (including HPV 16 and HPV 18) seems to be infected not only by sexual intercourse, but also by contact between skin and mucosa of mouth, vagina, vulva, penis, anus, finger. Most of cervical cancer has been found to be due to HPV 16 and HPV 18. Also, HPV seems to be involved in carcinogenesis in the vulva, vagina, anus, penis, and perineum (between the external genitalia and the anus).

Normal cervical cells (left) and HPV infected cells (right).


There is no silver bullet in HPV as there is no silver medicine. Many of the HPV infections are transient and viruses are eliminated naturally, but the fact that they are handed over to other people during the infection period is similar to a cold. Once infected and naturally healed, immune memory is not formed and infected many times.

Some people may have infected with HPV without symptoms for a long period of time, sometimes for decades, and during this period infected people do not know that HPV will be transferred to other people Become. This "silence" chronic HPV infection is said to increase the risk of carcinogenesis.

In the United States in 2006 the cervical cancerCondylomaFor the prevention of vaccines of HPV 6, 11, 16, 18 "Gardasil"Was approved for women aged 9 to 26 years old. However, inoculation to men has not yet been approved. Men's vaccination to prevent cancer associated with HPV is currently under review by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and results will be released in June 2009.

RPCI doctors including Dr. Loree and Dr. Popat believe that they have enough convincing arguments to approve vaccines to men. "Vaccine side effects are negligible, and we can expect great profit," said Popat. "Patients with throat cancer need to undergo full-scale treatment for several months and then take a recovery period of six months from the next 4 months.The ability to swallow and talk is affected.In general, the prognosis is good But it is a hard long way to go. "

According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 35,310 cases of oral and pharyngeal carcinoma are diagnosed each year in the United States, of which 25,310 are men. In the year 7590 people (of which 5210 males) died of these cancers. Smoking · Tobacco · Mass drinking is still the leading cause of head and neck cancer.

Based on the results of the verification to date, Dr. Loree says, "If the vaccination rate of HPV vaccine increases, cervical cancer and throat cancer should decrease." "Everyone can stop smoking and use of tobacco in any form and vaccinate HPV vaccine will be able to eradicate head and neck cancers.

Although the HPV vaccine is not approved in Japan, it seems that it can be legally obtained if you apply to a medical institution dealing with personal imports that can be vaccinated by private doctor's importation. Although the use of condoms is effective for the prevention of HPV, it is not complete as it infects hands, mouth, anus, etc. as described above. Transferring HPV to partners without awareness seems to be avoidable to some extent by washing hands and genitalia with soap and keeping them clean.

Even if infected with HPV, it is said that in many cases it will be naturally eliminated by immunity, so from now onKeep your immune system upIt may be important.