What men need to know about HPV-related throat cancer (oropharyngeal cancer)

What are the symptoms of HPV-related throat cancer?

A painless lump in the neck is the most common symptom of HPV-related throat cancer.

This means that the cancer has spread from the primary site to a lymph node.

If the primary tumor gets big enough, it can start to invade other spaces. In those cases, you may have ear pain as the tumor presses on nerves that lead to the ear, or your jaw might ache.

Sometimes the swelling and discomfort are misdiagnosed as an infection, and patients are treated with several rounds of antibiotics, or even have teeth removed.

They do well once they get the proper treatment, but it’s always frustrating that there has been a delay.

If you have a concerning lump in your neck, don’t ignore it. See an ear, nose and throat specialist to have it checked out.

How is HPV-related throat cancer treated?

Treatment for HPV-related throat cancer depends on the cancer’s stage. We stage HPV-related throat cancer differently than throat cancer that is not related to HPV.

For example, HPV-related throat cancer that has spread to a lymph node in the neck is still considered stage I, which is early-stage. Throat cancer that is not related to HPV and spreads to a lymph node in the neck is considered stage III.

Most HPV-related throat cancer diagnoses are stage I. Treatment usually includes one or a combination of the following therapies:

Your doctor may recommend targeted therapy or immunotherapy if the cancer is more advanced.

At MD Anderson, we customize HPV-related throat cancer treatment for each patient. Because the oropharynx plays a critical role in speaking, breathing and swallowing, treatment for oropharyngeal cancer often focuses on preserving these functions along with eliminating the cancer.

What is the prognosis for patients with HPV-related throat cancer?

The prognosis for early-stage HPV-related throat cancer is very good. About 90% of HPV-related throat cancer diagnoses are stage I. These patients have a 90% chance or greater of being cured.

Is HPV-related throat cancer known to recur?

No, recurrence is not high for HPV-related throat cancer. It tends to be one and done. So, once the cancer is cured, it’s not likely to come back.

Reduce your risk for HPV-related throat cancer

Nearly everyone will be infected with HPV in their lifetime. In most cases, the virus clears up on its own within a couple of years and the person will never know they had it. You can protect yourself and prevent infecting someone else by:

• Getting the HPV vaccine. Everyone ages 9 to 26 should get the HPV vaccine, not just girls. It is most effective if it’s given at ages 11-12, when only two shots are needed. For people age 15 and older, three doses are needed. Unvaccinated adults ages 27 to 45 should talk to their doctor about the benefits of the vaccine.
• Paying attention to symptoms. A lump in the neck is not normal. Don’t ignore a lump in the neck, ear pain beyond what you would expect from a minor infection or pain that does not respond to treatment within two weeks. The earlier HPV-related throat cancer is detected, the better the chance that it can be treated successfully.

Currently, there is no approved screening test to detect HPV in the throat. But we are actively researching ways to detect HPV-related cancers with blood tests.

You can help protect yourself from HPV-related throat cancer by getting vaccinated against the virus and being aware of changes in your body.

Neil Gross, M.D., is a head and neck surgeon and researcher at MD Anderson.

Request an appointment at MD Anderson online or call 1-877-632-6789.