Ray,

My understanding is that the younger victims of OC are more likely to be HPV positive and will therefore have locations of the their primary tumor in the oropharynx, base of tongue or tonsil area.

However, not all tumors in these areas are HPV positive. Since tobacco is the cuprit in around 65% of oral cancer cases and with less people using tobacco each year, the increase in the number of cases every year is coming from the HPV factor. I think it is safe to say that most younger OC patients have not smoked or chewed long enough to get OC from tobacco.

Remember that there are around 5% of those with OC (like me) that have no risk factors and no cause can be found.

I'm sure that David and Brian will chime in here and correct me if I am misquoting any facts or figures.

Jerry