Human Papillomavirus

HPV Cancer

HPV found in the mouth and throat is called “Oral HPV.” Some types of oral HPV (known as “high risk types”) can cause cancers of the head and neck area. Other types of oral HPV (known as “low risk types”) can cause warts in the mouth or throat. Head and neck cancers that happen as a result of HPV infection occur in the part of the throat that includes the the base of the tongue and the tonsils. About 95 percent of anal cancers are caused by HPV. Most of these are caused by HPV type 16. HPV causes about 65 percent of vaginal cancers, 50 percent of vulvar cancers, and 35 percent of penile cancers. Most of these are caused by HPV type 16.