Papillomavirus, also threatens the mouth and throat

Tags: papillomavirus, tumor —

The snuff and alcohol have traditionally been the main triggers of tumors of the oral cavity (mouth, pharynx and larynx). However, in recent years, another ‘villain’ has been gaining ground in this area.It is the human papillomavirus , a sexually transmitted pathogen whose role in cervical cancer is well known.

In America, this virus is now considered the main cause of a type of oral carcinoma and its prevalence to the attention of experts .Above all, it is particularly high among men.

This is evidenced by the results of the last work done on the subject, which looked at 5579 men and women aged between 14 and 69 years. According to data published in the latest issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association ‘ , oral infections of the virus affecting 10.1% of men compared to 3.6% of women, giving a prevalence overall about 7%.

These data underscore the researchers in the medical journal, call for greater public attention to the health implications that has the progress of this virus. Especially if you consider that the subtype 16 pathogen-undoubtedly the most aggressive and most related to further development of cancer, was the most common virus affected the sample.

A sexually transmitted infection

To carry out their work, these scientists led by Maura L. Gillison, Ohio University (USA), each participant underwent a personal interview about their habits and their socioeconomic profile, and a laboratory test to evaluate the oral presence of papillomavirus.

Apart from the prevalence of the pathogen, one of the details were clearer in the research is that sexual behavior was closely linked to the likelihood of infection . Thus, sexually active people who had had more partners over their lives who most likely had to introduce the virus. On the other hand, apart from the inner life also showed smoking as a major risk factor.

Although acknowledging that the prevalence of oral papillomavirus infections remains low compared to other ‘attacks’ of this pathogen, arrives at 42% for cervical-the authors of this paper claimed on its findings more studies determine how you can prevent and combat this type of infection and its possible consequences.

He agreed with his view of the ship Elvira, a spokesman for the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology and Clinical Specialist Hospital Universitario de Salamanca. According to this expert, among other factors, it is necessary to determine whether the vaccine is used routinely to prevent cervical cancer is also effective in the case of oral infections or to what extent would conduct a cost-effectivepreventive screening to detect the virus as is customarily done in gynecological consultations.

“He’s working hard on this issue because the prevalence of these oral infections is increasing,” he says. In his words, although in Spain and the rest of Europe the figures have not yet reached levels that are handled in U.S., also detected a significant increase .

“In Spain, alcohol and snuff are still the major cause of cancers of the upper aerodigestive area, but is expected to increase the incidence of the virus,” he says.

In this regard, recalls Boat to the existence of a mouth or throat cancer, it is necessary in all cases to rule out the presence of the virus. “In general, patients who have the virus but are not smokers or drinkers have a better prognosis than the rest , “he says. “In these cases, one must appreciate that this may not need surgery, as they usually respond very well to chemotherapy and radiotherapy,” he adds.

To avoid problems, the specialist recommends, above all, prevention against any sexually transmitted disease. But in addition, also stresses the importance of timely action.

“You have to see if symptoms are detected as an ulcer or small lesion in the mouth that does not heal within weeks or at a hoarseness that does not subside,” he stresses.