Does HPV Cause Lung Cancer? In fact, in a 2008 review of 53 studies published in the journal Lung Cancer, the authors state that HPV may be the second leading cause of lung cancer after cigarette smoking, and additional research on this issue is strongly needed.
Key Points
What is Human Papillomavirus Infection (HPV)?
HPV (human papilloma virus) is a collection of over 100 viruses that can infect humans. HPV is most often spread through skin-to-skin contact, usually sexually. Only a few of these viruses are considered the
“cancer-causing” strains, most notably, HPV 16 and HPV 18, the viruses that are currently targeted in vaccines directed against HPV. Infection with a “cancer-causing” strain of HPV does not mean a person will develop cancer. In fact, most infections with HPV do not result in the development of cancer.
HPV & Cancer.
HPV is now well-established as playing a role in most cases of cervical cancer, as well as many cases of vulvar, penile, and anal cancers. It is also being implicated in some cases of oral cancer, especially those occurring in young, non-smoking women.
Does Human Papillomavirus Infection (HPV) Infection Cause Lung Cancer?
The possibility that HPV may play a role in the development of lung cancer was first suggested in 1979. Several studies since that time have found evidence of HPV DNA in lung cancers, but this varies significantly depending on geography. In the United States, HPV DNA is found in about 20% to 25% of lung cancers. The most common strains found are HPV 16 and HPV 18, strains that are commonly found with cervical cancer as well.
Whether the presence of HPV in lung cancer indicates causation (that HPV causes lung cancer) is another question. Current thought is that HPV may be a cofactor in the development of lung cancer, that is, the
virus may work together with other risk factors such as tobacco or radon to produce a cancer.
The presence of HPV in lung cancer cells is more common in females, non-smokers, and those with adenocarcinoma, a type of non-small cell lung cancer. Interestingly, those people who have evidence of HPV in lung cancer cells appear to have a better prognosis.
So what does this mean for prevention? Minimizing exposure to HPV through safe sex is a good start. Our About.com Guide to Cancer offers more tips on How To Prevent HPV.
Is Lung Cancer Inherited?
It is well known that some cancers, such as ovarian cancer and colon cancer, run in families. Even though the role of heredity in lung cancer is not as well-known, having a family history of lung cancer does increase
our risk to some degree. Hereditary lung cancer is higher in women, nonsmokers and those with early onset lung cancer (lung cancer that occurs before the age of 60). Overall, it has been estimated that 1.7% of lung cancers up to the age of 68 are hereditary. Several factors are associated with hereditary lung cancer, including:
How Closely a Family Member is Related.
Having a first-degree family member (parent, sibling or child) with lung cancer roughly doubles the risk of developing lung cancer. This risk is more for women and less for men and stronger in nonsmokers than smokers. Having a second-degree relative (an aunt, uncle, niece or nephew) with lung cancer raises your risk by around 30%.
Smoking Status, Lung Cancer & Heredity.
Smokers who develop lung cancer are less likely to have a family history than nonsmokers that develop lung cancer. That said, however, for those who have a genetic predisposition to lung cancer, smoking appears
to amplify that risk.
Type of Lung Cancer & Heredity.
Studies vary in the types of lung cancers that have the greatest hereditary component, but those with nonsmall cell lung cancers, especially lung adenocarcinoma are more likely to have a family history of lung cancer than those with small cell lung cancers.
A recent finding is that non-smokers with non-small cell lung cancer whose tumors have an EGFR mutation are much more likely to have a family history of lung cancer than those who have an ALK or KRAS mutation.
Race, Lung Cancer & Heredity
Blacks with first-degree relatives have a greater risk of early onset lung cancer than whites. This risk increases in smokers.
Other Cancers & Hereditary Lung Cancer
In general, having a family history of cancers other than lung cancer, does not appear to increase the risk that you will develop lung cancer. On the other side of the equation, though, those that develop more than
one primary lung cancer are significantly more likely to have a genetic predisposition contributing to their cancer.
What Should I Do if I Have a Family History of Lung Cancer?
CT screening for lung cancer is an option for some people, although it’s currently only recommended for those people between the ages of 55 and 74, who smoke or have quit in the past 15 years, and have at least a 30 pack-year history of smoking. Depending upon your risk factors, you and your doctor may elect to choose screening outside of these parameters. Before we despair about those genes passed on to us by Mom and Dad, we need to keep in mind that many causes of lung cancer are preventable. Quitting smoking (if you smoke), testing your home for radon, eating a healthy diet, exercising and being careful to avoid occupational causes can all help lower your risk of developing lung cancer whether you have a family history or not.
