tonsil cancer caused by HPV-16

Anyone with tonsil cancer caused bt the HPV-16 virus should read the article on "nature.com" it tells the story about who and how it was discovered and the theory behind they think it attacks the cells. Also the new methods on how it's being treated. So if you get a chance please read the article as it only talks about what we have which if tonsil cancer not "throat cancer" per say.

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Comments

  • longtermsurvivor
    longtermsurvivor Member Posts: 1,842 Member
    what this site does

    is give links to literature from a variety of trade journals.  Could you please give a more specific refernce?  Thanks.

     

    Pat

  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    HPV: Sex, Cancer and a Virus
    If you are speaking of this article...

    HPV: Sex, Cancer and a Virus

    I wouldn't really derive from it that it is saying HPV derived Tonsil Cancer, is not "throat cancer"....

    It is very much throat cancer.. It does basically say what many of us here have always said about HPV derived H&N Cancer.. HPV derived tends to respond well to treatment, and in a lot of cases have very favorable results.

    A lot of that has to do with what the article mentions also... The majority of people that have HPV derived, tend to be younger, healthier going in...

    There has been much talk of possible less invasive treatment, but at this time, treatment is pretty much the same standard whether it's HPV derived or not..., basically H&N Cancer is H&N Cancer...

    Though I'm sure somewhere down the road, and probably in the not too far future HPV derived H&N Cancer will have a different treatment plan than current.

    Best,
    John
  • Ruben and Jude
    Ruben and Jude Member Posts: 155
    It's a fine line

    I think I understand what you're saying. HPV-16 tonsilar cancer is not the same as 'throat' cancer. It's symantics to those who don't really know the difference, including some physicians. But I agree with you, it's not your 'typical' throat cancer.

    I pray they come up with a new effective treatment plan that's not as harsh as the chemo and rads for 'throat' cancer.  But I like what the article said, to come up with a vaccine so people won't get HPV at all. Amen to that!

  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,722 Member
    it is my tongue

    Skiffin,

    When I was diagnosed base of tongue cancer (hpv+), I asked the ENT if I had throat cancer and he said no you have tongue cancer and I said it is in my throat and he said it is in your tongue.

    So, I had  BOT cancer.  HPV+ is just the way I scored it.

    Matt

  • sunshine_64
    sunshine_64 Member Posts: 50
    There are many current studies of this

    There are many current studies that suggest that tonsil cancer has two different causes and prognoses-

    see current issues of Onconolgy, and other Center Network sites for infromation. There are interesting

    studies that show different success rates for different treatments for HPV-16 positive and negative

    cases. It is worthwhile to read the medical literature on this (easily available online).

     

    Also Joining the Cancer netwok to get the most recemt issues of Oncology and the ongoing research developments  is useful also.

     

  • alligatorpointer
    alligatorpointer Member Posts: 131
    Even those who have NO tonsils can get HPV+ oral cancer

    Consider the fact that many people have their tonsils removed when they are young children.  Even those people who have no tonsils are still susceptible to oral cancer caused by HPV 16.  The cancer can occur in the throat, base of tongue, or other oral cavity surfaces. 

  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    Tomatoes

    How do you say tomatoes....?

    Using the various interpretations, I don't think anyone actually gets "throat" cancer.... We all get some specific area within the throat, oral cavity or H&N... To not say your tonsils, tongue, etc...aren't in your throat doesn't mean much to me...

    If you have cancer, you have cancer..... and at this point in time, the treatment is going to be the same if it is HPV+, or not HPV+

    That's just my take on it of course...

    Given the now current standard is being used fairly successfully..., I wouldn't want to be one of the first to take a lesser approach in treatment...

    John

  • just2ez2004
    just2ez2004 Member Posts: 9
    sorry if I offended you

    I guess you missed understood where I was coming from, I was trying to point to the article as I thought it was informative, I'll refrain from posting on here again!!

  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member

    sorry if I offended you

    I guess you missed understood where I was coming from, I was trying to point to the article as I thought it was informative, I'll refrain from posting on here again!!

    No Offense...

    I just wasn't sure where you were coming from with tonsil cancer not being throat cancer, when the article itself stated in several places that it was throat cancer.

    I'm not quite sure why you would decide not to post on here again....?

    I don't think my response was so harsh to offend you to the point of not posting any longer.

    BTW, the article was informative... I just didn't apparently get out of it what you did, but there's nothing wrong with that either...

    Best,

    John

     

  • sin9775
    sin9775 Member Posts: 199 Member

    sorry if I offended you

    I guess you missed understood where I was coming from, I was trying to point to the article as I thought it was informative, I'll refrain from posting on here again!!

    Please Don't Stop Posting

    Just2, Please don't stop posting here.  I don't think anyone was offended by your post, nor do I think anyone was being rude to you.  Everyone's opinion is welcome here.  I am not a H&N patient, my brother is, but I read most everyone's posts almost daily

    and have gotten much information and comfort from doing so.  The problem with the written word has always been the difference in the tone in which something is sometimes written and what is "heard" when it is being read.  Please consider sticking around.

    ~Shawn~

  • donfoo
    donfoo Member Posts: 1,771 Member
    My understanding is cancer is

    My understanding is cancer is named based on phyical location of the primary tumor. Breast cancer, liver cancer, lung cancer, etc. Within the Head and Neck region, there is a finer breakdown as shown in the diagram. The tongue is long and spans two regions and that may cause some confusion. It seems the fromt part of the tongue is located in the oral cavity while the BOT (Base of Tongue) is located in the oropharynx. The tonsils seem to lie in the oral cavity or the oropharynx.

    Do hang around and post your questions. You have only a lot to gain and nothing to lose. There are no other topics that have such true life-death implications. Seems like a no-brainer to ask and learn. Don

     

     

    image

  • I am pending results of a

    I am pending results of a biopsy of base of tongue - multiple lymph nodes swollen and a mass at the base of my tongue all lit up on a PET scan. I remembered that 8 months ago when I had a routine pap smear, I was told that i had irregular cells on my cervix along with testing positive for HPV 16/18.. ?? Is it possible that the HPV is not just on my cervix but could general be in my body as well and be the cause or cause more problems with potential cancer that I am being tested for in my BOT?

  • debbiejeanne
    debbiejeanne Member Posts: 3,102 Member

    I am pending results of a

    I am pending results of a biopsy of base of tongue - multiple lymph nodes swollen and a mass at the base of my tongue all lit up on a PET scan. I remembered that 8 months ago when I had a routine pap smear, I was told that i had irregular cells on my cervix along with testing positive for HPV 16/18.. ?? Is it possible that the HPV is not just on my cervix but could general be in my body as well and be the cause or cause more problems with potential cancer that I am being tested for in my BOT?

    those are very good questions

    those are very good questions and i'm sure someone can answer them for you but they may not see this post as it is old.  i suggest you copy and paste your questions into a new topic so everyone will see it.  i don't have the answers to your questions.  good luck.

    dj

  • wmc
    wmc Member Posts: 1,804

    I am pending results of a

    I am pending results of a biopsy of base of tongue - multiple lymph nodes swollen and a mass at the base of my tongue all lit up on a PET scan. I remembered that 8 months ago when I had a routine pap smear, I was told that i had irregular cells on my cervix along with testing positive for HPV 16/18.. ?? Is it possible that the HPV is not just on my cervix but could general be in my body as well and be the cause or cause more problems with potential cancer that I am being tested for in my BOT?

    HPV+

    Maybe, but if it is that could be a good thing in that persons with HPV+ respond to treatment better and have better odds on beating it than those who don't. You'll be OK

    Bill

  • donfoo
    donfoo Member Posts: 1,771 Member

    I am pending results of a

    I am pending results of a biopsy of base of tongue - multiple lymph nodes swollen and a mass at the base of my tongue all lit up on a PET scan. I remembered that 8 months ago when I had a routine pap smear, I was told that i had irregular cells on my cervix along with testing positive for HPV 16/18.. ?? Is it possible that the HPV is not just on my cervix but could general be in my body as well and be the cause or cause more problems with potential cancer that I am being tested for in my BOT?

    mention to doctors

    The doctor diagnosing your primary BOT SCC via PET will find any other cancer that was include in the scan. If your scan was a full body scan then it would show distant mets if present. If they dod just neck and up PET then distant mets would not be found.

    They should have your history already. If not, make them aware of the previous condition. I'm unclear about the HPV 16 positive test. My understanding is the HPV gene is looked for when requested during biospy. Did you have a biopsy of the cervix cells and they came back HPV+ ? I did not know one could get a HPV + positive on non-cancerous cells. My understanding is the HPV gene is part of the larger cancer cell.

    Don't worry about this, just mention to your doctor in a few days when you discuss the biopsy results and make sure they are aware of your concern about distant mets.

    Don

  • Last June or so I had a

    Last June or so I had a abnormal pap smear. It came back with some abnormal cells, but she said it was so low grade that it wasn't cancer. But that they did test it for HPV 16/18 and that came back positive. I then had a colposcopy to get a biopsy of the Endometrium and cervix which thankfully came back normal. My GYN said that i can have the HPV positive but not be cancerous there. But now that I'm dealing with this potentially cancerous mass on the BOT and with so many lymph nodes lighting up on the PET scan from my neck down through axillary , abdomen and groin, it just makes me wonder if HPV is apart of that too since i already tested positive for it on cervical. I didn't put two and two together before. but i guess it's something to ask my ENT when i go for the biopsy results on wednesday.

  • Bunnymom
    Bunnymom Member Posts: 212 Member

    Last June or so I had a

    Last June or so I had a abnormal pap smear. It came back with some abnormal cells, but she said it was so low grade that it wasn't cancer. But that they did test it for HPV 16/18 and that came back positive. I then had a colposcopy to get a biopsy of the Endometrium and cervix which thankfully came back normal. My GYN said that i can have the HPV positive but not be cancerous there. But now that I'm dealing with this potentially cancerous mass on the BOT and with so many lymph nodes lighting up on the PET scan from my neck down through axillary , abdomen and groin, it just makes me wonder if HPV is apart of that too since i already tested positive for it on cervical. I didn't put two and two together before. but i guess it's something to ask my ENT when i go for the biopsy results on wednesday.

    Mom

    I sent you a private message about this.

  • AndrewP16nose
    AndrewP16nose Member Posts: 23 Member

    Last June or so I had a

    Last June or so I had a abnormal pap smear. It came back with some abnormal cells, but she said it was so low grade that it wasn't cancer. But that they did test it for HPV 16/18 and that came back positive. I then had a colposcopy to get a biopsy of the Endometrium and cervix which thankfully came back normal. My GYN said that i can have the HPV positive but not be cancerous there. But now that I'm dealing with this potentially cancerous mass on the BOT and with so many lymph nodes lighting up on the PET scan from my neck down through axillary , abdomen and groin, it just makes me wonder if HPV is apart of that too since i already tested positive for it on cervical. I didn't put two and two together before. but i guess it's something to ask my ENT when i go for the biopsy results on wednesday.

    HPV smears vs P16

    As I understand it the HPV 16 and 18 viruses are able to insert a cancer triggering segment of their DNA (P16) into healthy human DNA. This occurs most commonly in genital and head & neck tissue. With smears they're trying to detect the dangerous HPV strains to allow carriers of these strains to be closely monitored for cancerous changes in the cervical cells. With head and neck cancers there is no HPV in the cells any more. The transfer of the cancer causing segment probably occurs well before the cancer starts. 

  • Sailor123
    Sailor123 Member Posts: 97

    sorry if I offended you

    I guess you missed understood where I was coming from, I was trying to point to the article as I thought it was informative, I'll refrain from posting on here again!!

    Oh for heavens sake, "LIGHTEN

    Oh for heavens sake, "LIGHTEN UP FRANCIS"

  • wmc
    wmc Member Posts: 1,804
    Sailor123 said:

    Oh for heavens sake, "LIGHTEN

    Oh for heavens sake, "LIGHTEN UP FRANCIS"

    If you replied to just2ez2004

    He left and never signed in again.