A once rare form of tonsil cancer caused by the same human papilloma virus (HPV) that causes cervical cancer in women is spreading rapidly though the United States. Unlike other oral cancers, which are often caused by tobacco and alcohol, the new cancer is usually spread by oral sex, but can even be transmitted by a kiss or through a shared drinking glass. 75 percent of its victims are men.
One study found that people who were infected with HPV were 32 times more likely to develop the unusual cancer, which develops in the tonsils or at the base of the tongue. The cancer was nine times more common in men and women who had a total of at least six oral-sex partners.
Oncologist Maura Gillison of the Ohio State University Medical Center was one of the first researchers to recognize a connection between the virus and tonsil cancer. After finding HPV in a substantial number of throat tumors, she saw that the number of cancer cases had been steadily rising starting with people born in 1935. She realized the rise in numbers was connected with the change in sexual behavior that began in the 1950s and 1960s. People began to have more sexual partners, and a virus that was once rare began to quietly spread.
Gillison believes cases of HPV tonsil cancer are increasing by five percent each year and experts worry that the virus could spread and cause a spike in cancer cases. Gillison believes a solution might be to vaccinate all boys, as well as girls, against the HPV virus.
An FDA advisory committee recently recommended the HPV vaccine Gardasil be approved for young males to prevent genital warts. But some experts disagree, pointing to the numerous side effects, including death, linked to the vaccine as well as its high cost (three doses at $120 each over a period of six months) for a series of shots. Gardasil was approved in 2006 for girls.
Fortunately, tonsil cancer isn’t as deadly as other forms of throat cancer because throat cancers caused by HPV responds better to surgery and radiation. Still, rates are rising and Gillian says that if the trend continues, more oral cancers will be caused by HPV than tobacco or alcohol within ten years. Even at today’s rates, the statistics are still surprising: half as many people get oral cancer each year that is caused by HPV as those who develop cervical cancer.
© 2009 Newsmax. All rights reserved.
