hi Meredith-

This is Kim coming in under Dave's logo but we did ask similar questions about the HPV connection to the surgeons/researchers we have on team at Mass Eye & Ear/Mass General. They tell us that research is under way to look at genome markers for oral cancer but at present they can't be determined. Dave has been asked to participate in a Harvard School of Public Health study which currently has about 300+ subjects with oral cancer whose DNA(from saliva swab, blood, & a piece of tissue surgeons keep during surgery) will be studied to look for patterns etc. We asked if we could have access to the studys results which are supposed to be available in the next couple of years. I haven't had a chance to look at much of the data in the packet they gave us yet because we are preparing for Dave's surgery on 9/16 but will post more as I learn more.

On a personal note, Dave and I have been together since 1998 and I recently had two atypical PAP smear results which on repeat came back normal but my gyn suspected that Dave may carry HPV. You really can't test for that easily in men unless you are talking the genital kind and the man has an obvious lesion. But, Dave is 48 and has no risk factors for oral cancer either so we are wondering too...

Kim

Let me know if you want the contact numbers for the study-glad to supply.