HPV positive throat cancer

[geronimo123]

Hi,

First of all, I've read all of your previous postings on the subject of HPV and they have been very helprul...thank you.

I am a 40-year old single male, and last spring I was diagnosed and treated (Chemo & radiation) for HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer. Thankfully, my recent PET scan showed a complete response to treatment & no evidence of disease. Since my diagnosis would mean I've had a persistent infection, what do you recommend in terms of safety for future partners? Any counseling on post-cancer HPV would be appreciated. My current doctors are great, but haven't been able to give me information.

Thanks so much for your time.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to our Forum.  I'm delighted to hear of the successful therapy of your throat cancer.  Your question deals with a topic that I am not familiar with however, I doubt that your prior HPV positive cancer posed a risk for future sexual partners.  Let me share my thinking on this topic with you.

1.  When HPV causes cancer that virus has "transformed" the affected cells and the virus which was acquired is no longer present, having incorporated its genetic material into the host cell and changed its cellular make-up to cause the cancer.  I am not aware that cells that have been transformed in this way are infectious for others.

2.  Even if you did have active HPV 16 present in your throat or at other sites of potential contact, that you could transmit it to others does not mean that they would develop cancer.  It is likely that there are as yet not well defined host genetic factors (and perhaps environmental factors as well -such as tobacco products) which predispose a small proportion of persons with HPV 16 to the development of cancer.  The vast majority of persons who become infected with these viruses do not go on to develop cancer and resolve these infections on their own.

I presume that future partners will know of your battle with cancer and may wonder as you have about HPV.  I doubt however that your misfortune places them at any meaningful risk.  I will follow up this comment with discussions with several colleagues and let you know if I receive other input which might be helpful. EWH

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Just a bit of follow-up.  My colleagues agree with what I have said.,  they add that if there is a concern, the HPV vaccine would prevent infection and that might be reassuring but, again, in view of my comments above, would likely not be essential except for its benefits on peace of mind.  EWH

[geronimo123]

Dr. Hook...thanks so much for speaking with your colleagues. I really appreciate it.