Throat and tongue cancer is getting more frequent. Cause? Oral Sex and HPV

Prof. Wojciech Golusiński, president of the Head and Neck Cancer Society, points out that the number of these cancers in Poland is growing rapidly. According to the data of the National Cancer Registry, in the years 1999-2013 it increased by 20%. A similar trend is observed across Europe. It is estimated that currently 11 thousand people are detected in our country every year. new cases of head and neck cancers, and 6 people die because of them (i.e. more than are killed each year in road accidents). What are the next symptoms of these tumors? Usually there is pain, burning or scratching in the affected area when the voice changes. Most often it is chronic. Instead of pain, there may also be discomfort in the form of a “foreign body” in the throat.

The HPV virus, or Human Papilloma Virus, is a human papillomavirus in Polish. It causes warts of the genitourinary organs that are difficult to heal, and can also cause the development of certain types of cancer: cervical cancer in women, cancer of the anus, and penile cancer in men. And in both sexes – head and neck cancers (including tongue and throat) and even some lung cancers! HPV is transmitted through sexual contact, including oral. 80 percent sexually active men and women have been or will be infected with HPV at least once in their life, but the greatest number of carriers of the virus are among men who had multiple partners.

– We all know that alcohol and smoking are among the risk factors for developing these cancers, but the epidemiological phenomenon is that we have more and more cases among people under 40 who do not smoke or drink alcohol – says Prof. Wojciech Golusiński, president of the Head and Neck Cancer Society. Of course, as with most types of cancer, genetic factors also play a role in throat cancer. And smoking increases the likelihood of getting sick. It is worth noting that as a result of smoking, throat cancers develop more often in women, and men develop lung cancer more often. Another risk factor is alcohol abuse. The most dangerous in this context, however, is infection with the HPV virus.

The average age of infection among men is 18–24 years. There are two ways of infection: through classic vaginal intercourse and through anal or oral intercourse. The main problem is that, although we have already caught the virus, the infection can be asymptomatic for a long time, and during this time, as carriers of the virus, men infect other partners. It turns out you can carry the virus for many years after giving up sexual activity. One of the first, rather unusual symptoms of throat cancer may be a change in the timbre of your voice. It is often so small that only relatives notice it. Unfortunately, this symptom is usually underestimated, especially by smokers who think it is simply an irritation in the throat.

Prof. Wojciech Golusiński emphasizes that if head and neck tumors are detected in the first stage of development, five-year survival (which in oncology is considered a cure rate) is observed in 95-97% of patients. patients. – We are able to help almost all of these patients overcome cancer with the help of currently available treatment methods. There is only one condition – you need to see a doctor early with symptoms – emphasized the expert. According to prof. Golusiński, these symptoms are trivial and often accompany banal infections, which is why they are underestimated. This mainly includes: stuffy nose or nosebleeds, sore throat, pain when swallowing and difficulty swallowing, persistent hoarseness, sore tongue, mouth ulcers or white or red spots in the mouth. – Who of us has not had a sore throat or a stuffy nose, but if these symptoms persist for more than three weeks, you should contact your family doctor to refer us for further diagnostics – explained the specialist. If the cancer is at an advanced stage and the throat has started to develop a lump, you may have difficulty swallowing and even difficulty breathing.

Head and neck cancers, which include, for example, cancer of the nose, mouth, larynx, throat (except brain and eye cancers), affect more and more young adults under 40 years of age. A doctor suspecting throat cancer will first recommend imaging tests to locate a possible tumor. If its presence is confirmed, a mass biopsy is performed to see if the tumor is malignant. Where can I apply for the examination? Detailed information at: www.oppngis.pl.

Weight loss with most cancers occurs when the metastasis process has already begun. Throat cancer, however, is unusual in this respect, because its very location may make it difficult to eat or cause a decrease in appetite, and thus – weight loss.

Sometimes a strong immune system can cope despite exposure to the virus. Unfortunately, this is not necessarily the case. It is estimated that about one percent of men (i.e. one man in a hundred who have contact with the virus) will develop HPV-related diseases after infection. Attention, bisexual men and homosexuals! The risk of infection and of falling ill with HPV-related diseases increases several times in your case.