Head and Neck
Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference - Winston Churchill
The incidence of head and neck cancer is going down. The bad news is another type of head and neck cancer is on the rise and is related to a common STD...HPV the same virus implicated in cervical cancer. 60 to 70% of all tonsil cancers in the U.S. are linked to HPV whereas other studies report that 45 to 95% of oropharyngeal tumours are HPV-positive.
One of the first reports that suggest the involvement of HPV in head and neck cancer dates back nearly two decades ago and it was “greeted with incredulity.” Although there have been more scientific papers reporting that head and neck cancer, especially around the oral cavity is linked to HPV, there has been little information available to the public mainly due to the sensitivity of the issue. This is because the HPV-head and neck cancer connection would surely touch on the topic of oral sex.
So, who is getting HPV related head and neck cancer? Generally it’s the healthy and well-off segment of the population - in other words, people who are not your typical chain smoking alcoholics or junkies. Although not well-publicized until recently, the risks for developing HPV-positive head and neck cancer is closely linked to sexual behaviour and practices such as having multiple sexual partners and oral sex. This may be attributed to the widespread practice of oral sex among the younger generation, which can be traced back to the early 70’s.
The silver lining behind the cloud is that the prognosis for most HPV-positive oral tumors is generally better than those that are HPV-negative. Clinical outcomes and survival are usually positive regardless of treatment strategies. This may be partly due to the fact that patients with HPV-positive tumors tend to be young and in good health.
The take home message is...modifying sexual behavior is the key in preventing HPV and HPV-related cancers. Oral sex seems to be the main mode of transmission of oral HPV that leads to cancer although transmission by mouth to mouth contact through French kissing cannot be ruled out.
Beastie Boy Battles Cancer
Overall the incidence of head and neck cancer is going down. The bad news is another type of head and neck cancer is on the rise and is related to a common STD...HPV (Human Papillomavirus) the same virus implicated in cervical cancer.
Head and Neck and Thyroid Cancer Institute
The Head and Neck and Thyroid Cancer Institute of Beth Israel in New York, New York, collaborates with The Institute for Reconstruction Sciences in Medicine in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, the University of Turku and Turku University Hospital in Finland, and the University Medical Center Freiburg, Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, Freiburg, Germany, by gathering data to improve patient diagnosis, treatment and care.
Head and Neck Cancer Alliance
The Head and Neck Cancer Alliance (HNCA) was established in 2008 to create a coalition in the fight against head and neck cancer. Formerly the Yul Brynner Head and Neck Cancer Foundation, HNCA expands on existing strengths to enhance the overall effort in prevention, detection, treatment and rehabilitation.
Macmillan Cancer Support
Information on cancers of the head and neck, including how they are diagnosed, treatments you might have, possible side effects and how to get further support.
STDs...The Latest is...Head and Neck Cancer
The incidence of head and neck cancer is going down. The bad news is another type of head and neck cancer is on the rise and is related to a common STD...HPV the same virus implicated in cervical cancer. Could oral sex play a role?
Support for People with Oral & Head & Neck Cancer
A patient-directed, self-help organization dedicated to meeting the needs of oral and head and neck cancer patients. SPOHNC, founded in 1991 by an oral cancer survivor, addresses the broad emotional, physical and humanistic needs of this population.
Sydney Head & Neck Cancer Institute of Australia
The Sydney Head and Neck Cancer Institute (SHNCI), which was founded in 2002 by Professor Christopher O'Brien, has been established to provide comprehensive, state-of-the-art treatment to patients with cancers and diseases of the head and neck.
We are committed to supporting research and education in the early detection and treatment of thyroid and head and neck cancer, to advancing new therapies, and to alleviating the suffering and functional impairment of patients who undergo treatment.
The Oral Cancer Foundation
The Oral Cancer Foundation is a national public service, non-profit entity designed to reduce suffering and save lives through prevention, education, research, advocacy, and patient support activities. Oral cancer is the largest group of those cancers which fall into the head and neck cancer category. Common names for it include such things as mouth cancer, tongue cancer, tonsil cancer, and throat cancer.
WebWhispers was started in 1996 for those who had questions about larynx cancer treatments, surgery, recovery, and what life is like after laryngectomy surgery.
Head and neck cancers are malignancies arising in the upper aerodigestive tract (this includes: lip, tongue, salivary glands, mouth, oropharynx, nasopharynx, hypopharynx, nasal cavity, and larynx). Laryngeal cancer is the most frequent type, accounting for about a quarter of head and neck cancers
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
Memorial Sloan-Kettering's comprehensive Head and Neck Disease Management Team is a world leader in treatment and post-treatment services, in basic science and clinical research, and in the training of the next generation of specialists devoted to these diseases.
National Cancer Institute
Information about head & neck cancer treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and vaccine therapy
Extensive resource for head and neck cancers.
Thyroid Cancer Survivors' Association...this site maintains current information about thyroid cancer and support services available to people at any stage of testing, treatment, or lifelong monitoring for thyroid cancer, as well as their caregivers.
AMEDEO has been created to serve the needs of healthcare professionals, including physicians, nurses, pharmacists, administrators, other members of the health professions, and patients and their friends. They can easily access timely, relevant information within their respective fields.
Head and neck cancers account for approximately 3 to 5 percent of all cancers in the United States. These cancers are more common in men and in people over age 50.
MedlinePlus brings together authoritative information from NLM, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.
The most common type of cancer in the head and neck is squamous cell carcinoma, which arises in the cells that line the inside of the nose, mouth and throat. Other less common types of head and neck cancers include salivary gland tumors, lymphomas and sarcomas.
The term head and neck cancer refers to a group of biologically similar cancers originating from the upper aerodigestive tract, including the lip, oral cavity (mouth), nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses, pharynx, and larynx. Most head and neck cancers are squamous cell carcinomas (SCCHN), originating from the mucosal lining (epithelium) of these regions.