Thank you Tony, very informative.
Here is some food for thought. In regards to HPV-16. I know everybody is different and other factors probably apply but I haven't read anywhere what the incubation period from time of infection to symptoms present is. Don't know if anybody really knows yet. I do know this; since at least the mid nineties, my left tonsil has constantly ached and was at least double in size as the right one.( I looked often cause it always bothered me) I had it checked out many a time. I wouldn't seek out medical for just this. If I was at the docs office for something else or I had access to a nurse at my job, I would ask them to take a look. They never seemed particularly alarmed but told me often if it bothered me to have them removed. My right tonsil never, ever gave me grief. Only my left. Low and behold 15-20 years later SCC of left tonsil. Anybody else similar?
Great article, Tony! Dr Maura Gillison has worked with OCF for many years. OCF has helped to fund her research projects for years. Im not sure exactly how long she has been affiliated with OCF and Brian but its been a long time.
Tom, from the article about Maura Gillison, I found this....And most people who develop an HPV infection do not get oropharyngeal cancer: about 90% of those who become infected orally clear the infection within two years. No one is sure why. That may be a start to getting your question answered. I often wonder if some patients with medical problems that target certain areas of their bodies that the disease takes hold of the weakest place on their body???? Just wondering.
At this time there has been alot learned about HPV but there is still much more unknown. Thru research like this more will be discovered.