European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

HUMAN PAPILLOMA VIRUS AND ORAL CANCER

*Dr. Savita S. Thakkannavar MDS, Dr. Rashmi Nagraj MDS, Dr. Veena B. Pujari MDS and Dr. Suryakant B. Metkari MDS

ABSTRACT

Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) constitutes one of the most common malignant tumors worldwide. In India its incidence remains high and major cause of morbidity and mortality. The rising incidence of oropharyngeal carcinoma in the absence of risk factors like smoking and alcohol consumption suggests that genetic predisposition, diet, nontraditional behavioral and oncogenic virus are driving the attention. The link between Human Papilloma virus and oropharyngeal carcinoma is trending in recent decades. HPV type 16 and 18 have been considered as high risk types since studies have proved their association with head and neck carcinomas. Since HPV infection has been associated with more favourable disease outcome., early diagnosis and prompt treatment is obligatory to promote the prognosis of oral cancer.

Keywords: Human papilloma virus, Oral squamous cell carcinoma, Koilocytes. HPV DNA.