What men need to know about HPV-related throat cancer (oropharyngeal cancer)
November 21, 2025
Medically Reviewed | Last reviewed by Neil Gross, M.D., on November 21, 2025
Smoking rates have declined over the past few decades in the U.S., and so have the rates of smoking-related throat cancer. But cancers of the back of the throat – or oropharynx – continue to rise. The reason: human papillomavirus (HPV).
Anyone can get throat cancer, but it's less common in women. HPV-related throat cancer patients are usually non-smoking, white, heterosexual males in their 50s, 60s or 70s.
While we used to see mostly smokers with throat cancer, now it’s mostly nonsmokers, and their throat cancers are almost uniformly HPV-related.
Here, I’ll share what men should know about HPV-related throat cancer.
How does HPV cause throat cancer?
HPV spreads to the oropharynx through intimate kissing or oral sex.
The oropharynx, which includes the area in the back of the tongue and the tonsils, has an uneven surface with deep crevices that make it a good environment for the virus to lodge.
I like to compare the surface to "cauliflower." It has similarities to the surface of the cervix, a common site for HPV infection in women.
The virus can lay dormant in cells for years if the body doesn't clear it. In some cases, it causes cancer. Once that happens, the cancer can be relatively slow-growing. It can take months or even years to become noticeable. Most people don’t notice it until it becomes a lump in the neck.
I always explain to patients that the link between HPV and throat cancer is similar to that of chickenpox and shingles. Just like chickenpox, everyone is exposed to HPV early in life. Some people exposed to chickenpox will develop shingles later in life. Similarly, a fraction of people exposed to HPV will develop oropharyngeal cancer.
What are the symptoms of HPV-related throat cancer?
A painless lump in the neck is the most common symptom of HPV-related throat cancer.
This means that the cancer has spread from the primary site to a lymph node.
If the primary tumor gets big enough, it can start to invade other spaces. In those cases, you may have ear pain as the tumor presses on nerves that lead to the ear, or your jaw might ache.
Sometimes the swelling and discomfort are misdiagnosed as an infection, and patients are treated with several rounds of antibiotics, or even have teeth removed.
They do well once they get the proper treatment, but it’s always frustrating that there has been a delay.
If you have a concerning lump in your neck, don’t ignore it. See an ear, nose and throat specialist to have it checked out.
How is HPV-related throat cancer treated?
Treatment for HPV-related throat cancer depends on the cancer’s stage. We stage HPV-related throat cancer differently than throat cancer that is not related to HPV.
For example, HPV-related throat cancer that has spread to a lymph node in the neck is still considered stage I, which is early-stage. Throat cancer that is not related to HPV and spreads to a lymph node in the neck is considered stage III.
Most HPV-related throat cancer diagnoses are stage I. Treatment usually includes one or a combination of the following therapies:
Your doctor may recommend targeted therapy or immunotherapy if the cancer is more advanced.
At MD Anderson, we customize HPV-related throat cancer treatment for each patient. Because the oropharynx plays a critical role in speaking, breathing and swallowing, treatment for oropharyngeal cancer often focuses on preserving these functions along with eliminating the cancer.
What is the prognosis for patients with HPV-related throat cancer?
The prognosis for early-stage HPV-related throat cancer is very good. About 90% of HPV-related throat cancer diagnoses are stage I. These patients have a 90% chance or greater of being cured.
Is HPV-related throat cancer known to recur?
No, recurrence is not high for HPV-related throat cancer. It tends to be one and done. So, once the cancer is cured, it’s not likely to come back.
Reduce your risk for HPV-related throat cancer
Nearly everyone will be infected with HPV in their lifetime. In most cases, the virus clears up on its own within a couple of years and the person will never know they had it. You can protect yourself and prevent infecting someone else by:
- Getting the HPV vaccine. Everyone ages 9 to 26 should get the HPV vaccine, not just girls. It is most effective if it’s given at ages 11-12, when only two shots are needed. For people age 15 and older, three doses are needed. Unvaccinated adults ages 27 to 45 should talk to their doctor about the benefits of the vaccine.
- Paying attention to symptoms. A lump in the neck is not normal. Don't ignore a lump in the neck, ear pain beyond what you would expect from a minor infection or pain that does not respond to treatment within two weeks. The earlier HPV-related throat cancer is detected, the better the chance that it can be treated successfully.
Currently, there is no approved screening test to detect HPV in the throat. But we are actively researching ways to detect HPV-related cancers with blood tests.
You can help protect yourself from HPV-related throat cancer by getting vaccinated against the virus and being aware of changes in your body.
Neil Gross, M.D., is a head and neck surgeon and researcher at MD Anderson.
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