Association of human papillomavirus related squamous cell carcinomas of the oropharynx and cervix

BACKGROUND: Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection is well established in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) and cervical cancer (CC). However, the association between both HPV related cancers remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between HPV related cancers of the oropharynx and cervix. METHODS: A provincial cancer registry was used to retrospectively identify all patients diagnosed with OPSCC from 1997-2015. The standardized incidence ratio (SIR) of CC history in women with p16+/-OPSCC was measured. RESULTS: From 372 women with OPSCC included, the SIR of CC was significantly higher across all ages compared to the general population in Alberta, Canada (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Women with HPV/p16+ OPSCC have a significantly higher risk of CC compared to the general population.