I'm also curious about your "treated for external
HPV" comment. Do you mean you had warts?
Being confirmed
HPV+ through a FNA (biopsy) which, as Brian says is the ONLY way to confirm the existence of oral cancer, I have spent a great deal of time learning as much as is known about
HPV and everything that Brian told you is 100% correct.
BTW
HPV related oral cancer is not that rare anymore. In fact over 70% of the cancer now found in the Orophyrnx region which includes the Base of Tongue and Tonsils are caused by
HPV and usually the strain HPV16 and with the decline in worldwide tobacco use,
HPV is fast becoming the leading cause of oral cancer.
There is a condition known as Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis which is associated with
HPV and does cause bumps, if you will, in the respiratory track making breathing difficult. It's more common in children but adults can get this as well but I doubt from your description that is what you may have.