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Pathology · single question

What is the most common identifiable cause of cancer of the tonsils/oropharynx in the United States?

  1. HIV infection directly
  2. HPV (specifically HPV-16) infection
  3. Tobacco use alone, with no viral contribution
  4. Epstein-Barr virus
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Correct answer: B. HPV (specifically HPV-16) infection

HPV, specifically the high-risk type HPV-16, is now the leading identifiable cause of oropharyngeal (including tonsillar) squamous cell carcinoma in the U.S., having overtaken traditional tobacco/alcohol-related cases — and incidence is significantly higher in men than women.

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