Mouth disease blamed on virus

Friday March 16th, 2012

A common virus is stoking a big increase in cases of mouth cancer, researchers warned today.

The human papillomavirus HPV is strongly linked to cervical cancer and is often sexually transmitted.

New figures show cases of mouth cancer in the UK have risen by nearly half in ten years - reaching 6,200 in 2009. Ten years ago there were 4,400 cases in a year.

Experts at Cancer Research UK pointed the finger at high risk strains of HPV. Many of the extra cases are deep inside the mouth, around the tonsils and the base of the tongue, they report in the British Journal of Cancer.

The charity said the increase could not be blamed on tobacco or alcohol - which can also cause the disease.

Richard Shaw, of the Liverpool Cancer Research UK Centre, said: “We have seen a rapid increase in the number of HPV16-positive cases of oral cancer. We have also noticed that patients with HPV-related oral cancers tend to be younger, are less likely to be smokers and have better outcomes from treatment than those whose tumours show no evidence of HPV.

“This raises questions as to exactly how these cancers develop and why they only affect a small proportion of people who are exposed."

Sara Hiom, of Cancer Research UK, said dentists could help identify the disease.

She said: “It’s worrying to see such a big rise in oral cancer rates. But like many other cancers, if oral cancer is caught early, there is a better chance of successful treatment.

“So it’s really important for people to know the signs and symptoms of oral cancer - mainly mouth ulcers that just won’t heal, any lumps or thickening in the mouth, lips or throat, or red or white patches in the mouth that won’t go away."

Parkin, D M et al., - The Fraction of Cancer Attributable to Lifestyle and Environmental Factors in the UK in 2010 British Journal of Cancer 2011; doi:10.1038/bjc.2011.474

Tags: Cancer | Flu & Viruses | UK News

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