HPV vaccine to prevent Oral Cancer - 04-19-2012 11:28 PM
Hello,
I am new new to this forum, and I am looking for some opinions/recommendations regarding one of the HPV vaccines, specifically in the prevention of oral cancer. My situation is somewhat unique. My wife and I are both dentists and are concerned about possible infection from our patients. I am a prosthodontist, and occationally see OC patients who require prosthetics for obturation post surgically. Quite ironically, the ENT in my town who focuses on cancer removal and refers patients to me for this, requently was diagnosed with a squamous cell carcinoma at the base of the tongue, which tested positive for HPV. It is hypothesized that the HPV virus was possibly contracted from aresol resulting from laser ablasion of papiloma lesions (as this is a commen ENT practice). I had a discussion with a radiation oncologist, and she feels that every one in the dental field is at high risk of occupational transmission of HPV, and this certainly makes sense. I asked her if I should be vaccinated even though I am 31, she responded �nobody knows yet.� I asked a pathologist that I know the same thing. His response was �the vaccine is not thought to be effective past age 26.� Does anyone have any thoughts about this? Should I (we) get the vaccine or not? Is anyone aware of any recent studies that support vaciination past age 26? Thanks for your time! Joe
I am new new to this forum, and I am looking for some opinions/recommendations regarding one of the HPV vaccines, specifically in the prevention of oral cancer. My situation is somewhat unique. My wife and I are both dentists and are concerned about possible infection from our patients. I am a prosthodontist, and occationally see OC patients who require prosthetics for obturation post surgically. Quite ironically, the ENT in my town who focuses on cancer removal and refers patients to me for this, requently was diagnosed with a squamous cell carcinoma at the base of the tongue, which tested positive for HPV. It is hypothesized that the HPV virus was possibly contracted from aresol resulting from laser ablasion of papiloma lesions (as this is a commen ENT practice). I had a discussion with a radiation oncologist, and she feels that every one in the dental field is at high risk of occupational transmission of HPV, and this certainly makes sense. I asked her if I should be vaccinated even though I am 31, she responded �nobody knows yet.� I asked a pathologist that I know the same thing. His response was �the vaccine is not thought to be effective past age 26.� Does anyone have any thoughts about this? Should I (we) get the vaccine or not? Is anyone aware of any recent studies that support vaciination past age 26? Thanks for your time! Joe