HPV is the first thing that comes to most people's minds when talking about STDs, but there are actually many STDs, including throat cancer and especially oropharyngeal cancer, which we'll hear about to be popularized, and when discussing the rise in the incidence of the human papillomavirus (HPV), many people immediately think of cervical cancer.Surprisingly, however, laryngeal cancer (especially oropharyngeal cancer), a sexually transmitted virus, is also a cause and can be transmitted through oral sex.
Within the conventional wisdom, one of the factors for having oral cancer is that it is caused by smoking over a long period of time, and while the traditional risk factors for oral cancer have long been associated with smoking, recent studies have shown a direct link between HPV and certain laryngeal cancers. In fact, these HPV-related laryngeal cancers are on the rise and are expected to surpass new cases of cervical cancer in the near future.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 18,000 new cases of laryngeal cancer are diagnosed each year that may be linked to HPV. About 10 percent of men and 4 percent of women have oral HPV, but only about 1 percent have the specific type of HPV associated with throat cancer (HPV 16.) The reasons why HPV persists in some individuals for decades and may lead to laryngeal cancer are not fully understood.
The main risk factor for oral HPV infection and HPV-related laryngeal cancer is having multiple oral sex partners. This risk is higher in both men and women, but the incidence of HPV-associated throat cancer may be lower in women because of their potential immunity to cervical cancer. Men have different immunity.
Cigarette smoking is another important risk factor for developing throat cancer and reduces treatment outcomes for patients diagnosed with HPV-related throat cancer. The greatest risk is associated with smoking at least one pack of cigarettes a day for 10 years.
To reduce the risk of HPV-related throat cancer, the following measures are recommended:
1. Limit the number of lifetime sexual partners and the frequency of oral sex; after all, the greater the number of sexual partners, the higher the risk, especially oral sex. Consistent use of condoms or dental dams can provide some protection.
2. Vaccination must be put in place to ensure that children and adolescents are vaccinated. The three rounds of HPV vaccine are available to men and women between the ages of 9 and 45 to prevent HPV infection and reduce the risk of HPV-related cancers.
3. Be screened regularly so you can increase your chances of finding tumors. Early detection of tumors allows you to receive treatment as early as possible, and early treatment can help you improve your recovery rate. Your doctor will perform a neck examination, throat examination and oral examination.
4. Pay more attention to your oral health and remember to visit your dentist regularly as they are usually the first to detect tongue and tonsil abnormalities in addition to being able to clean your mouth.
5. Reduce or quit smoking in your daily life and limit alcohol consumption to reduce your risk.
Recognizing the symptoms of HPV-related throat cancer can be challenging and easily overlooked. Always consult your doctor or ear, nose and throat specialist if these symptoms persist for more than two weeks.
Symptoms include:
1. Lump or swelling in the neck
2. Ear pain
3. difficulty swallowing, as if something is stuck in the back of your throat
4. new snoring problems without sudden weight gain
5. Difficulty eating
6. Hoarseness or change in voice
7. Sore throat
8. Swollen lymph nodes
9. Unexplained weight loss
HPV-related laryngeal cancers develop slowly but can spread quickly to the lymph nodes. They are usually diagnosed when they have spread to the lymph nodes in the neck and cause significant swelling and neck lumps. However, according to the latest AJCC cancer staging system, these cancers respond unusually well to treatment, and even patients with multiple lymph nodes affected may fall into stage 1 or 2 disease.
HPV-related laryngeal cancers typically take up to 30 years to appear and most often affect adults between the ages of 40 and 60. According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, this cancer is growing fastest in healthy men between the ages of 35 and 55. Clinical tests look for the P16 molecular marker in biopsy samples, which indicates HPV-related cancers. When you know the risks and what to look for, successful treatment and cure rates are high.
In conclusion, the link between HPV and laryngeal cancer is well established, and researchers continue to find out more about HPV-related laryngeal cancers as they work to find better ways to prevent and treat them.