Increase in malignant oral tumors by HP viruses

More and more oral tumors due to human papillomaviruses

05/16/2012

According to medical experts, the number of cancer patients with oral cancer caused by sexually transmitted viruses is increasing. A study Norwegian scientists showed an increase of four to five percent per year. Responsible for this is, according to experts, an increase in oral sex. As reported by the German Society for Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery (DGHNO KHC) at this year's 83rd Annual General Meeting in Mainz, around 650,000 people worldwide develop a malignant head and neck tumor each year , In Germany, tumors in the head and neck area are among the fourth most common cancers in men.

Increase in HPV-related cancer cases
According to the company, more than 18,000 people worldwide contract head and neck cancer every year. Among the men, the cancer is already the fourth most common cancer, as the German Cancer Society reports. According to this, about 50 out of every 100,000 Germans develop cancer in the mouth or throat. Tumors in the oral cavity, larynx or throat already lead the cancer statistics in male-dominated cancers. In addition to smoking, especially in combination with alcohol, so-called human papillomaviruses (HPV), predominantly of the HPV type 16, may be responsible for cancerous tumors in the mouth and throat area. Different studies had investigated why non-smokers also suffer from the special forms of cancer. Those who had oral, pharyngeal or almond cancers were found to have a viral HPV infection. Viruses are increasingly believed to be responsible for carcinomas in humans.

Increase due to accumulation of oral sexual practices
The accumulations explain the scientists by the increase of sexual practices in the oral range. Differences in sexual orientation could not determine the study from Norway. „Whether heterosexuals, homosexuals, women or men, all can be transmitters“, as stated in a statement. "HPV is likely to trigger every second oropharyngeal cancer and every fourth tumor of the oral cavity," explained the ENT specialist Prof. Jens Klussmann in Mainz, director of the Department of Otolaryngology at the University Hospital Giessen and Marburg.

HPV responsible for different cancer variants
HP viruses can trigger different types of cancer. First and foremost, the viruses are transmitted sexually. It is only public knowledge that there is a context between HPV and cervical cancer in women. However, new studies indicate that the viruses may also be responsible for head and neck cancer. Although the data is according Klackmann „not sure yet“, however, there are indications that sexual risk factors may play a role. During the research, it also became apparent that, in contrast to the non-infected cancer patients, people with HPV were much more likely to change sexual partners and, according to their own information, more frequently took oral intercourse.

Hoarseness a first warning signal
An initial warning signal for head and neck cancer can be constant hoarseness. If the hoarse voice persists for more than three weeks, sufferers should consult an ear, nose and throat doctor so that he can search for possible causes. „The earlier the head and neck carcinomas are discovered and treated appropriately, the greater the chances of recovery“, so the experts in the message.

HPV patients with cancer on average ten years younger
According to the medical profession, patients suffering from an HPV-associated cancerous tumor were on average ten years younger than patients without a viral infection. A study published in the US Medical Journal, such as the fact that in the United States 10 percent of men and about four percent of women are already infected with an HP virus that can lead to malignant tumors, such as the German Cancer Society explained. In addition, the more the subjects had different sexual partners, the higher the risk of infection.

In this context, the medical experts pointed out that for several years, a vaccine against the various HPV variants, which also covers the high-risk type 16 with. The cost of vaccination in girls between the age of 12 and 17 by the statutory health insurance companies. Physicians in the US also demand a protective vaccination for boys, because the viruses generally pose a risk of cancer, as the current studies showed. However, the vaccination age should be between 12 and 13 here.

Interdisciplinary physicians and scientists are also discussing this topic at this year's Annual General Meeting of the DGHNO KHC „HPV-Related Head and Neck Carcinomas. "The annual congress in Mainz begins on the 16th and ends on the 20th of May. (Sb)

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Image: Gerd Altmann (image is a tracing)