(Pictures on the left shows a large papilloma in the oral pharynx.)

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Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common STD in the United States.  There are 6.2 million new infections each year.  Most HPV infections spontaneously clear on their own, 70% within one year and 90% within two years.  View Report    Over 40 different types of HPV infect the mucosal areas of the body. 
View Abstract   View Abstract 

The skin can also become infected, for example plantar warts are caused a variety of the HPV virus.  In this case, only skin to skin contact or walking on an unclear surface can result in an infection. 

Substantial evidence is mounting that the Human Papillomavirus or HPV is playing an increasing important role in oral cancer.  On the rise are cancers of the tonsils and base of tongue.  Infections with HPV-6 and HPV-11 are known causes of genital warts(1).  It has been shown that 70% of cervical cancers are caused by HPV-16 and HPV-18.  Frisch and Biggar (2) reported that patients with anogenital squamous cell carcinoma had a 4.5 increased risk of developing tonsillar cancer.  

Of the 29,627 cases of oral cancer in 2003, up to 12% were caused by HPV.  The incidence is approximately, one-third of the 11.820 cases of vaginal cancer caused by HPV in the same year.   View Report - Table 1

Sexual transmission is associated with infection of the upper respiratory tract.   D'Souza, et. al. (4) found that HPV associated oral pharyngeal cancer was associated with greater than 25 life-time vaginal-sex partners and greater than 6 life-time oral sex partners.  However, they could not rule out transmission by direct mouth to mouth contact.  It has also been reported that poor oral health which causes dental problems and gum disease can increase the risk of HPV infection.   Thus, brushing one's teen will lower the risk of HPV.   View Time News Report

D'Souza (4) demonstrated that HPV is by far the major risk factor for developing oropharyngeal carcinoma.  He demonstrated HPV-16 in 72% of 100 pathology specimens studied.  He found that patients who developed HPV had an odds ratio of developing oropharyngeal cancer of 32.2, as heavy alcohol use had an odds ratio of 2.5, and heavy smoking (greater than 20 pack year) had an odds ratio of 2.8.  The interaction between HPV, tobacco and alcohol is unclear. 

Chemock et. al (5) found Human Papilloma Virus in 63.5% of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma tumors in Whites and 11.5% of tumors in African Americans.