World-wide, according to Dr. Gillison at Hopkins, 95% of cervical cancers are caused by five HPV types -- 16, 18, 31, 33, and 35 -- the rate is lower in USA as other HPVs are involved (as well as other causes, as Kerry notes) -- about 70% as I recall.

Dr. G. has been involved in a trial of a new therapeutic HPV-16 vaccine which has been tested for about a year on cervical cancer patients and she has started a trial with this vaccine on HNC patients, as I have mentioned before. *If* it proves successful, it will be another arsenal in the fight against oral and cervical cancers.

Gail

CG to husband Barry, dx. 7/21/05, age 66, SCC rgt. tonsil, BOT, 2 nodes (stg. IV), HPV+, tonsillectomy, 7x carboplatin, 35x tomoTherapy IMRT w/ Ethyol @ Johns Hopkins, thru treatment 9/28/05, HPV vaccine trial 12/06-present. Looking good!