http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/extract/340/mar25_1/c1439
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/339/oct08_2/b3884
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/hpv-oropharyngeal-cancer0507
The British Medical Journal indicated in a commentary that there has been a recent surge in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma, which researchers believe may be due to the spread of human papillomavirus through oral sex. Apparently there has been a 22% increase in the number of cases in the U.S. between 1999 and 2006, a significant rise considering there was almost no increase between 1975 and 1999. Researchers are currently trying to determine just what treatment for oropharyngeal carcinoma is most effective and how this treatment might differ from treatments for other types of head and neck cancer.
As an added controversy, there is a vaccine available against HPV and yet the Harvard School of Public Health suggested in 2009 that vaccinating boys isn't cost effective, even though the link between oropharyngeal carcinoma and HPV has been know since at least 2007. This has left researchers wondering whether the sudden rise in this type of cancer "may alter the cost effectiveness of vaccinating boys before they become sexually active." Currently the CDC recommends that all 11 and 12 year old girls get vaccinated against HPV, so why not boys? Perhaps this study will compel the CDC to change their guidelines and include boys in their recommendations.
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