Liz --

The reference to HPV-16 is to one of the "high-risk" strains of human papilloma virus (those most apt to cause cancer) -- there has been a lot in the press recently as a paper came out in New England J. of Medicine May 10 which describes the risk factors etc. for HPV-induced head/neck cancer.

The researchers found that of 100 patients with orpharyngeal cancer (that is, cancer restricted to the oral cavity and the pharynx) 72% had HPV-16 in their tumors. Most of these tumors presented first in the tonsil or base of tongue. Some of the patients were smokers but most were not.

Being tested for HPV is probably wise, there is a lot of attention now being directed towards this form of oral cancer which is biologically different from that caused by smoking and which seems to respond more favorably to treatment .

If your cancer center cannot do it, it can be done at Johns Hopkins where the above research study took place.

Treatment, whether the cancer is HPV+ (positive) or not is difficult and you both will have to call on your strength and determination to get through it. However many have made it through and resumed their normal lives so do not become despondent. However go through the Oral Cancer Foundation web site (that is, the web pages other than this Forum) for information on treatment, side effects, etc. etc. We did and it was invaluable.

Gail

(husband had Stage III/IV SCC tonsil, base of tongue, 2 nodes -- 35x tomoTherapy IMRT and 7x carboplatin, plus amifostine -- now almost two years from dx and doing great.)