Man’s Throat Cancer Linked to HPV Infection Decades Prior Highlights Need for Expanded Vaccination
London, UK – A 60-year-old man in Hampshire, England, has been diagnosed with throat cancer attributed to a Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection believed to have occurred approximately 40 years ago, underscoring the long latency period of the virus and sparking renewed discussion about preventative measures, including vaccination.Frank Lane discovered a persistent lump on the right side of his neck while shaving. Initially dismissing it as fatigue or age-related, he sought medical attention after two weeks when the swelling didn’t subside. A subsequent biopsy revealed the presence of throat cancer.”I thought it was ridiculous as I quit smoking 10 years ago,” Lane stated, highlighting the common association of throat cancer with tobacco use. However, doctors steadfast the cancer was linked to HPV, likely contracted through oral sexual activity in his early 20s.
Lane underwent initial chemotherapy with limited success, but ultimately responded positively to six weeks of high-intensity radiation therapy, resulting in tumor removal.
HPV: A Silent Threat with Long-Term Consequences
HPV is primarily transmitted through sexual contact. While most infections are asymptomatic and resolve on their own, some persist and can lead to various cancers, including cervical, vulvar, anal, oral, and throat cancers, and also genital warts.
the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) reports HPV vaccines can prevent over 90% of cervical cancer cases and 70-90% of other HPV-related cancers. Crucially, vaccination is most effective before infection, as the virus is difficult to eliminate once established.
expanding Vaccination Beyond Women
Currently, South Korea’s national immunization program (NIP) offers free HPV vaccination to girls aged 12-17 and low-income women aged 18-26. Three HPV vaccines are approved for use in Korea: 2-valent (Cervarix), 4-valent (Gardasil), and 9-valent (Gardasil 9). Two doses are recommended before age 15 for optimal immunity.
However,HPV poses a meaningful health risk to men as well,causing anal cancer,head and neck cancers,and genital warts. The KCDC reports that men account for three to four times the number of genital wart cases linked to HPV infection compared to women. This disparity is fueling calls to broaden national vaccination programs to include males.
Recognizing this need, Gumi City in north Gyeongsang Province has initiated a pilot program offering free 4-valent HPV vaccination to vulnerable men aged 12-26. This move aligns with the growing trend in many countries worldwide to implement gender-neutral HPV vaccination policies.
