Dr. Loren Scott Michel on HPV-Associated Oropharyngeal Cancer

Loren Scott Michel, MD, Assistant Professor Medicine, Washington University, medical oncologist Siteman Cancer Center, discusses the link between human papillomavirus (HPV) and oropharyngeal cancers.

HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer is a growing public health concern, Michel says. He estimates that there are approximately 10,000-12,000 cases of HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer per year in the United States and that number is rising throughout the western world.

However, HPV-associated cancers are often easier to treat than HPV-negative, Michel says. Multiple studies show approximately 85% long- term survival for HPV-associated cancers, versus the average of 55% long term survival for HPV negative oropharyngeal disease.