Long-term persistence
As researchers explained in their paper, long-term persistence of HPV-16 infection is most likely a prerequisite for the development of subsequent malignancy.
Unlike cervical cancer caused by HPV-16 infection, the natural history of HPV infection in the oropharyngeal cavity is not known.
However, clinical assessment of patients with either persistent HPV infection or microscopic carcinoma has failed to detect any identifiable abnormalities.
Thus, this is the first report of a histologically confirmed diagnosis of an asymptomatic occult oropharyngeal cancer detected by a screening test through serial measurements of HPV-16 DNA, the investigators emphasized.
The report also demonstrated that very early lesions can be eradicated with minimal morbidity. Unfortunately, most oropharyngeal cancer is currently diagnosed at much later stages, and surgical removal of these is often associated with significant disabilities including difficulties with swallowing and even communicating.
“It’s amazing to think that this man was cured of his disease with a 15-minute procedure which left him with no lasting issues at all,” Dr. Punyadeera commented. “We need to try and make this the norm, not the exception.
“So we must have a well-designed screening study using all the insights we have gained from this case. We owe it to patients to explore these findings to their fullest,” Dr. Punyadeera emphasized.
The authors have disclosed no relevant financial relationships.
This article first appeared on Medscape.com.