Throat Cancer: What Causes Throat Cancer?

Tobacco (including smokeless tobacco) and alcohol use are the most prominent risk factors for developing throat cancer.  Head and neck cancers account for approximately 3 to 5 percent of all cancers in the United States.  These cancers are more common in men and in people older than age 50. 

There are an estimated 24,900 new cases of throat cancer and 5,890 deaths from throat cancer in the United States in 2009.(1)   Several studies published in the last few years indicate there is a link between HPV and throat cancer, one study finds that HPV 16 is present in 72% of the oropharyngeal cancer patients.(2)