Key breakthrough in HPV related mouth cancer

Key breakthrough in HPV-related mouth cancer

A BREAKTHROUGH piece of research has shown that cancer patients with the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) have a greater chance of survival from mouth cancer than those whose cancer is HPV negative.

The new study found that monitoring cancer tumours for the HPV can help health experts predict a patient’s survival chances. Conducted by Dr Angela Hong from the University of Sydney, the research monitored 198 patients suffering from mouth cancer after they had surgery or radiotherapy.Following the patients for a period of two years, it was found that those with HPV positive cancer were four times less likely to die than those who were HPV negative.

Another astonishing discovery was that cancer was three times less likely to reoccur at the primary site in patients with HPV positive cancer.

Dr Angela Hong said: “Our study, which focused on a group of patients with advanced oropharyngeal cancer, found that those with cancer caused by HPV had a significantly better chance of survival than cancer which was not caused by HPV. And this beneficial HPV effect was seen regardless of the type of treatment they had.HPV status is now the strongest predictor of whether a patient will survive oropharyngeal cancer or whether the disease will return. Various clinical trials are now in development to tailor treatment according to HPV status of tumours.”

Mouth cancer is currently one of the fastest growing cancers in the UK, and is responsible for one death every five hours. Chief Executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, Dr Nigel Carter, said: “Mouth cancer is a devastating disease, and this study is another step forward in the battle against it. More people in the UK die each year from mouth cancer than from cervical and testicular cancer combined, which is wrong considering this disease can be treated and cured if caught in the early stages. Any research that can help us understand and beat this disease is a step in the right direction.”

The Foundation organizes the annual Mouth Cancer Action Month campaign, which runs throughout November. The campaign aims to inform the nation of the main risk factors and early symptoms, while encouraging self-examination and regular visits to a dentist through the tagline “If in doubt, get checked out”.

Though tobacco is considered to be the main cause for mouth cancer, experts have suggested that HPV will become the prominent risk factor within the next decade. US studies have linked HPV to more than 20,000 cases in the past five years.Alcohol is another key risk factor, with those who drink and smoke in excess up to thirty times more likely to develop the condition.

A balanced diet is an important part of the battle against mouth cancer, as a third of cases are linked to an unhealthy diet. Evidence has also shown that an increase in Omega 3, found in fish and eggs, and fibre, found in nuts, seeds, whole-wheat pasta and brown rice, can help lower risks. A mouth ulcer that hasn’t healed in three weeks, red or white patches and any swelling or unusual lumps in the mouth are all early warning signs of the disease and must be checked by a professional immediately.