Impact of HPV in oropharyngeal cancer

The incidence of oropharyngeal cancers has increased in the western world and human papilloma virus (hpv) has been recognised as a risk factor in the last decades. during the same period the prevalence of hpv in oropharyngeal tumours has increased and hpv has been suggested responsible for the increase. the hpv-positive tumours are today recognized as a distinct subset of head and neck cancers with its own clinopathological and risk profile and have a significantly improved prognosis regardless of treatment strategy. this review summarizes current knowledge regarding human papillomavirus biology,oncogenic mechanisms,risk factors,and impact of treatment. © 2011 linda marklund and lalle hammarstedt.