Abstract:
While cancers of the oral cavity and oropharynx were overwhelming found in smokers and drinkers, a dramatic shift is occurring with a dramatic rise in the incidence of HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancers while oral cavity cancers and HPV-negative oropharyngeal cancers appear to be declining in incidence, reflecting the reduction in cigarette smoking. These trends also have implications for how Otolaryngologists prevent, diagnose, workup, treat, and follow these patients. The focus of information in this issue is on oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer and the implications of the HPV epidemic.