Human Papillomavirus Infection in Oral Cavity and
Oropharyngeal Cancers: Are They the Same Story?
Warut Pongsapich MD*, Pichade Jotikaprasardhna MD*, Chullawadee Lianbanchong MD*,
Athens Phumchan MD*, Sontana Siritantikorn PhD**, Cheerasook Chongkolwatana MD*
Affiliation :
* Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
** Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
Background : Nowadays, human papillomavirus (HPV) infection becomes the main risk factor for head and neck cancer
development. In Thailand, the related role of this viral infection to head and neck cancer is still unknown and not well
established.
Objective : To identify different characteristics of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer, and to determine the HPV-associated
prevalence of these two tumor types in Thailand, which is unlike the Western countries.
Material and Method: Between 2010 and 2012, a cross-sectional study was performed in 23 oral cavity and 23 oropharyngeal
cancer patients. HPV genome was studied in all of them from pathological confirmed fresh specimens. Risks of HPV infection
were collected using self-reported questionnaire.
Results : The prevalence of HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer was significantly noted in 26.09% (p = 0.009), while no
demonstrable HPV-associated prevalence in oral cavity cancer. In addition, the routes of HPV infection were not identifiable.
Conclusion : Oral cavity and oropharygeal cancers are not only anatomically distinct, but also greatly differed in their
characteristics and pathophysiology. The percentage of HPV-related tumors in Thailand is considerably low when compared
to the Western countries. However, the impact on treatment modification cannot yet be universally applied.
Keywords : Human papillomavirus, Oral cavity, Oropharynx, Head and neck cancer, Thailand, Asia, HPV infection, Oral
cancer, Oropharyngeal cancer
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