Human papilloma virus (HPV):
Infection with high-risk HPV types (HPV 16, 18. 31 and 33) also
play a role in the pathogenesis of OPSCC. Specifically, HPV type 16
accounts for > 90% of HPV associated cancer. The shift in
biology to HPV over tobacco associated SCC accounts for the improvement
in overall survival rates in HNSCC patients