日本性感染症学会誌 Journal of Japanese Society for Sexually Transmitted Infections

Cervical cancer is well-known human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated malignant tumor. However, oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) is also recently reported to be associated with HPV. Its incidence is rising, and nearly 50% of OPCs become HPV-positive nowadays in Japan. The characteristic of HPV-associated OPC is clearly different from that of non-HPV-associated OPC, including better prognosis and sexual activity as a risk factor for carcinogenesis in contrast to smoking and alcohol as that of non-HPV-associated OPC.

Prevention by HPV vaccine and screening by cytopathology and HPV detection are well-established strategies against cervical cancer. Conversely, no such strategies are currently available for HPV-associated OPC. No premalignant lesions are detected in HPV-associated OPC, which results in the lesser significance of cytopathology. Furthermore, HPV-associated OPC generally occurs deep within a tonsillar crypt, making access with a brush difficult. Therefore, the detection of HPV DNA in the oral rinse is experimentally attempted. HPV vaccination reduces the occurrence of oral HPV infection, suggesting the possibility of reduced HPV-associated OPC but not yet been shown.