HPV, which refers to the Human Pamplona Virus, is a possible SOURCE of the cancer, however a diagnosis with HPV does not necessarily prove that it was, in fact, the source of YOUR cancer.

The other and more obvious sources of Oropharyngeal cancer are a) heavy drinking in early adulthood (any beyond, if such is the case,) and b) Heavy smoking during the same life-stage. There are probably more, but that's the big three sources in a nut-shell.

In this game, having an HPV diagnosis is considered to be a good thing because the perception is that HPV associated patients have an easier time going through treatments.

I hope that this clarifies things a bit. And I wish you well.

[edit for spelling]

Last edited by Bart; 06-12-2014 02:50 PM.

My intro: http://oralcancersupport.org/forums/ubbt...3644#Post163644

09/09 - Dx OC Stg IV
10/09 - Chemo/3 Cisplatin, 40 rad
11/09 - PET CLEAN
07/11 - Dx Stage IV C. (Liver)
06/12 - PET CLEAN
09/12 - PET Dist Met (Liver)
04/13 - PET CLEAN
06/13 - PET Dist Met (Liver + 1 lymph node)
10/13 - PET - Xeloda ineffective
11/13 - Liver packed w/ SIRI-Spheres
02/14 - PET - Siri-Spheres effective, 4cm tumor in lymph-node
03/15 - Begin 15 Rads
03/24 - Final Rad! Woot!
7/27/14 Bart passed away. RIP!