THE ROLE OF HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS IN HEAD & NECK SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA

Human papillomavirus (HPV) belongs to the family Papillomaviridae. More than 100 serotypes have been identified. While in more than 90 percent cases HPV 16 is mostly responsible for head and neck cancer (HNC). HPV affects several sites like salivary glands, oral cavity, nose, paranasal sinuses, oro-pharynx, hypo-pharynx, lips, naso-pharynx, oesophagus, larynx and the soft tissues of ear and neck. Worldwide yearly over 650,000 patients are diagnosed with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). It is the sixth most common cancer in the world. Presently two vaccines are available for HPV, which are thought to have a role in the prevention of infections and tumors.