Human Papilloma Virus Infection Status and Oral Cancer Incidence in South India–Lack of Evidence and its Current Impacts

Abstract

HPV status in relation to occurrence of oral and oropharyngeal carcinomas has been a less explored arena
in the Indian Subcontinent. Lack of data on variation in the occurrence of high risk HPVs across India
necessitates a region wise update on HPV status. The literature search shows current evidence of overall
HPV prevalence to be 3.1 to 73.6% throughout the country and most frequently isolated high risk type was
HPV16. The incidence of oral cancer especially posterior tongue associated cancers are on the rise and is
becoming more common in non-tobacco users and further studies in this regard might open the way for
further insight into head and neck cancers caused by HPVs in India. This brief report summarizes the need
for a more detailed analysis in regard to the prevalence data obtained and the methodologies used to arrive
at the same.