HPV Registry

Squamous cell carcinoma originating in the head and neck region is the 6th most common malignant tumour worldwide. The most common site of occurrence is the larynx. The most important risk factors for this type of tumour are smoking and alcohol consumption, however, HPV infection has recently been confirmed as a serious risk factor in squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx, especially in the case of tumours affecting the palatine tonsils and the root of the tongue. The incidence of oropharyngeal cancers associated with HPV infection has been steadily increasing in recent years, mainly among men, and its role also arises in the case of algal and laryngeal cancers.

One of the most important differences between HPV-associated and non-HPV-associated squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx is the prognosis of the disease: HPV-caused disease is associated with a better course of disease and a more favourable cure rate. In the successful treatment of both types, it is important that it is discovered at the earliest possible stage and that treatment begins within a short period of time. To this end, it is essential for specialists involved in the diagnosis and therapy of the disease to know exactly the risk factors for the development of the tumour, the course of the disease, its characteristic symptoms, and the response to treatment.