I think something very important is being lost in all of the HPV conversation. Oral Cancer is most frequently Squamous Cell Carcinoma. The virus must "find" Squamous cells to cause the specific cancer. Not all the tissues are made up of squamous cells.

I think it also needs stressing, before we cause a panic, that not every single virus automatically causes a cancer. If this were true this cancer would probably be exceedingly common (and it is not). Several other things have to go wrong at a cellular level before cancer develops. The virus afflicted cell must mutate then the mutation must go un-noticed by all of the systems the body uses to rid itself of cells that are not behaving. (That is probably where our genetic pre-disposition fits in).

In the end, I suggest that the worry about HPV and all that might happen with that virus be left to the Medical Masters. Here on the ground level, we know the virus is around, that it is common and therefore we are exposed to it perhaps daily. Thankfully, on average our bodies are able to deal with it most of the time. Other than urging vaccination to young people we know and living a safe and sane life, there isn't much else we can do. IMHO we should be more cautious of all STD's than worrying about how we "got" our cancer.

By the way Ray, I don't agree that chemical exposure would cause a "wide spread" cancer. Cancers start in individual cells. It is true that some are probably "field" exposure but that does not rule out the small tumor being caused by chemical exposure. Oral cancers ARE considered "exposure" cancers. After all, aren't alcohol and the many carcinogens found in tobacco and smoke chemicals?


Mark, 21 Year survivor, SCC right tonsil, 3 nodes positive, one with extra-capsular spread. I never asked what stage (would have scared me anyway) Right side tonsillectomy, radical neck dissection right side, maximum radiation to both sides, no chemo, no PEG, age 40 when diagnosed.