SORRY ABOUT THE SPELLING.
HE SURVIVED. HE HAD FAMILY SUPPORT.

do you know if hpv was the cause of the cancer? there are other causes of throat cancer besides hpv. my bf talked to a health care prof. about this and she said its pretty rare but can happen.

I am asked about this by my patients quite a bit so here is some information:
Remember head and neck cancer is RARE

1) While smoking and alcohol abuse are implicated in the majority of head and neck squamous cell cancers (HNSCCs), HPV is responsible for 15 to 35 percent of HNSCCs worldwide.
2) HOWEVER, in sites such as the oropharynx, tongue, and tonsil, HPV is associated with 50 to 90 percent of the SCCs.

3) HPV DNA, primarily type 16, is detected in 8 to 36 percent of head and neck squamous cell cancers.
4) The prevalence is highest in invasive tumors of the oropharynx and oral cavity (up to 72 percent of cases)
5) It appears that HPV may be driving the increased incidence of tonsil cancer seen over the last several decades, as well as the more recent increase in base of tongue cancers.
6) The presence of HPV appears to confer a better prognosis in those with head and neck cancers.

Remember this is not meant to alarm you guys...HPV is common (even HPV 16) and head and neck cancers are RARE but make sure you and your doctor look inside your mouth at least once a year.
Hope this helps
Dr O.

THANKS DR ORANGE FOR YOUR REPLY.

IS THERE AYTHING WE CAN DO TO PREVENT THIS FROM FORMING BESIDES ANNUAL CHECKUPS ?

Dava: not that we know of. Smoking and alcohol are additive risk factors so staying away from heavy smoking or alcohol...

HELLO DR ORANGE,

THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR REPLY.

I DEFINITELY AGREE ABOUT NOT SMOKING AND LIMITING ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION.
I WOLD ALSO ADD JUST TRYING TO EAT MORE HEALTHIER AND MORE ORGANIC FOODS WHICH HAVE LESS CHEMICALS AND PESTICIDES.
IS THERE ANT TESTS SUCH AS A BLOOD TEST OR DNA TEST THAT CAN DETECT PRECANCER. WHY DOES A PRECANCER FORM. THEN THERE IS ALSO TONGUE CANCER FORMED BY LEUKOPLAKIA.
I DO AGREE WITH YOUR EARLIER COMMENTS AND WILL TRY TO FOLLOW YOUR ADVICE. IF YO HAVE ANY ADDL ADVICE
PLEASE LET ME AND ANYONE FOLLOWING THIS TOPIC KNOW. KEEPING THE IMMUNE SYSTEM IS VERY IMPORTANT AS WELL.EVEN THE AMOUNT OF SLEEP WE GET AND EXERCISE IS IMPORTANT.AS A PHYSICIAN YOUR ADVICE IS GREATLY APPRECIATED.
I CANNOT THANK YOU AND D.S. ENOUGH.
PLEASE ADD MORE ADVICE TIPS. THANK YOU SO MUCH !

Dava
I agree with you 100%
No...there are no screening tests for throat cancer (similar to cervical cancer screening or even anal paps which they do for anal cancer from HPV) YET.
Dr O.

this may sound stupid, but how can you tell the difference between inflamed taste buds and precancerous lesions on your tongue? I found a tiny bump on my tongue and I had a few people look at it, including an LPN that I work with and my mother and they all told me it was nothing, probably as swollen taste bud. Besides having a dr. look at it, what are some warning signs that it could be significant?

I never heard of a swelling in a taste bud, but years ago I had an inflammation in my salivary gland. I'm not sure how many are located in the mouth or exactly where they are, but I went to my doctor after a visit to the emergency room, who sent me to my dentist, who sent me to an oral surgeon to get the correct diagnosis. Mine was caused from some prescribed medication I had been taking at the time. It was a side effect caused by dry mouth. One of my salivary glands became inflamed because of that and it led to an infection. The surgeon had me on antibiotics, but told me that he would have to remove it and have it biopsied if it didn't return to normal as it could signify cancer. I had to go back and see him several times and he actually did schedule surgery for me, but on the day of my surgery he couldn't detect any swelling at all and he called off the surgery. I never had any problem since then. Everyone who I saw who examined me had a different opinion, but in the end it was the specialist who made the correct diagnosis.

I just noticed this yesterday. Its just a little pink bump that is slightly raised on toward the tip of my tongue. I'm just freakin out because I don't know what it is. It is barley noticable to others unless i actually point it out to them. Does anyone know what this could be? It wouldn't be a wart would it???

HI JAHHAJ
IF YOUR BUMP DOSENT GO AWAY IN 2 WEEKS THEN GO SEE A SPECIALIST. KEEP US POSTED.