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Human papillomavirus status in head and neck cancer
Author(s) -
Shuman Andrew G.,
Wolf Gregory T.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/cncr.25210
Subject(s) - medicine , head and neck cancer , cancer , human papillomavirus , head and neck , population , dilemma , hpv infection , head and neck squamous cell carcinoma , cervical cancer , oncology , gynecology , surgery , environmental health , philosophy , epistemology
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is an emerging causative factor for squamous carcinoma of the oropharynx and perhaps other head and neck cancers. There is a great deal of uncertainty regarding the clinical significance and implications of HPV status in this patient population. As a result, there is no established protocol for informing patients of the potential link between viral infection and their cancer. This paper discusses some of the ethical issues involved with informing head and neck cancer patients of their HPV status, recognizing the dilemma posed by unresolved clinical questions and the need to respect the autonomy of patients by disclosing relevant information. Cancer 2010; 116:4221–6. © 2010 American Cancer Society.