Oropharyngeal cancer can be caused by HPV, excessive alcohol and tobacco use. Find out how to recognize the symptoms and get treatment for this condition today.
Like most other types of cancer, oropharyngeal cancer arises from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. However, oropharyngeal cancer is different in that most new cases are closely linked to a virus.
While previously tobacco and alcohol use were the most significant risk factors for developing oropharyngeal cancer, the HPV virus is now the most common cause with approximately 70-80% of new cases being HPV-mediated.
Risk Factors for Developing Oropharyngeal Cancer
Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
An estimated 70-80% of oropharyngeal cancers in the US are HPV-mediated, meaning that the cancer is caused by the HPV virus. Certain strains of HPV are higher risk for causing cancer than others. The virus is sexually transmitted and an estimated 80% of sexually active people will be exposed to it in their lifetime. It is still unclear why some individuals develop cancer from this virus and others do not, but it likely is due to individual genetic and immunologic factors. Spouses or partners of patients with HPV-mediated oropharyngeal cancers are not at any increased risk of developing cancer themselves.
HPV Vaccination
The CDC recommends the HPV vaccine for routine vaccination of children—both males and females—at 11 or 12 years of age. This vaccination may prevent future development of HPV-mediated oropharyngeal cancer.
Tobacco
Smoking cigarettes, cigars or pipes and using chewing tobacco greatly increase the chance of getting an oropharyngeal cancer.
Alcohol
Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol is also closely tied to oropharyngeal cancer. Moreover, both smoking and drinking heavily more than doubles this cancer risk.
Radiation Exposure
Past exposure to radiation as part of a natural disaster, treatment for another disease a long time ago, or even in the workplace can increase the chances of some oropharyngeal cancers.
Signs & Symptoms of Oropharyngeal Cancer
The symptoms of oropharyngeal cancer depend on the location and size of the tumor. The most common presenting sign or symptom is actually a new neck mass, which represents the cancer traveling to a lymph node in the neck. The next most common symptom is pain or a sore throat.
- Difficulty Swallowing (Dysphagia)
This can occur because a tumor is in the way of swallowing, making it difficult or painful to swallow. - Painful Swallowing (Odynophagia) or Sore Throat
When a cancer grows larger, it can cause sensitive ulceration and can involve local nerves, causing pain. - Lump in the Neck
This is the most common sign that people notice first. It indicates that the cancer has spread to one or more lymph nodes in the neck. If a patient has a neck mass and a doctor is concerned that it indicates cancer that has spread from somewhere else, one of the first places he or she will look is the oropharynx. - Ear Pain
Ear pain, (particularly on one side, without other ear problems) also known as otalgia, can occur because the nerves of the throat reach the brain through the same pathway as one of the nerves in the ear. This means the brain might interpret a pain in the throat as coming from the ear, called referred pain. Unexplained ear pain like this that doesn’t go away should be evaluated by a specialist. It is important to understand that most causes of ear pain are due to simple problems such as middle ear infection or dysfunction of the Eustachian tube. Additionally, TMJ pain due to a problem in the joint located in front of the ear may also present as otalgia.
Additional Symptoms
- Difficulty opening the mouth (trismus).
- Feeling a lump in the throat.
- Bleeding from the mouth or throat.
- A change in speech (muffled voice).
- Weight loss.
If in Doubt, Speak to a Doctor
Please note, a patient could have one or more of these symptoms, and NOT have oropharyngeal cancer. Similar symptoms could be the result of something more benign. That’s why it’s important to seek medical advice from a specialist.
