Korean Society of Head and Neck Surgery Emphasizes Importance of HPV Vaccination for Men

Human papillomavirus (HPV)
Korean Society of Head and Neck Surgery Revealed

The Korean Society of Head and Neck Surgery has reiterated the importance of HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) vaccination for males in Korea. It has also been reported that HPV infection is associated with male infertility.

HPV causes various cancers and diseases, including cervical cancer, vaginal cancer, vulvar cancer, oropharyngeal cancer, anal cancer, and genital warts. In particular, it is known to have a great influence on the incidence of oropharyngeal cancer (cancer that occurs in the inside of the neck, such as tonsils and uvula) in men.

In the United States, the incidence of oropharyngeal cancer due to HPV infection has surpassed that of cervical cancer, and in Korea, the incidence of oropharyngeal cancer has more than tripled compared to 20 years ago.

The main route of infection is sexual contact. There are more than 100 types and various types, and certain types cause genital warts such as warts, penile cancer, anal cancer, cervical cancer, vulvar cancer, and oropharyngeal cancer. It may disappear naturally after infection, but it may remain dormant without symptoms for one month to several years and then suddenly develop into cancer.

Males and females have similar rates of transmission of the HPV virus, but males are congenitally weak against HPV. Unlike cervical cancer, oropharyngeal cancer does not have a precancerous stage and has no early symptoms, so the prognosis is poor.

HPV infection can be prevented through vaccination (vaccination). In the case of HPV types 16 and 18, which are known as high-risk groups, vaccination can prevent nearly 99% of cervical precancerous lesions (conditions just before progressing to cancer) related to those types.

In Korea, from 2022, national vaccinations are being implemented for women aged 12 to 17 and low-income women aged 18 to 26.

However, due to controversy over cost effectiveness, national HPV vaccination in men has not been implemented. It is possible for an individual to find a hospital and get fit, but it costs about 500,000 to 600,000 won. If you are incorporated into the national vaccination system, you can get the vaccination for free.

At the Spring Conference of the Korean Head and Neck Society held on the 2nd, HPV vaccination in men for the prevention of oropharyngeal cancer and the necessity of national vaccination were discussed.

Lee Se-young, medical director of the Korean Society of Head and Neck Surgery (Professor of Otorhinolaryngology, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine), also said, “The frequency of oropharyngeal cancer has increased rapidly over the past few decades. HPV vaccination in men is necessary to prevent oropharyngeal cancer.” Due to controversy over HPV, national HPV vaccination for men has not yet been implemented in Korea.”

“Globally, there is controversy over initial cost-effectiveness studies, but all studies after 2010 have been analyzed to be economically feasible,” he added. .

It has also been reported that HPV is associated with male infertility.

Byeong-kwon Byeon, public relations director of the Korean Society of Head and Neck Surgery (professor of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Soonchunhyang University Hospital) said, “If you look at men with infertility, the rate of HPV infection is about 17%, but there is a study showing that the rate of HPV infection is about 7% in men who are not.” “Sperm motility and morphology were also found to be poor in HPV-infected men.”

Choi Seong-ho, professor of infectious medicine at Chung-Ang University Hospital, said, “Both men and women can receive national HPV vaccination in most OECD countries.” There is a need for a re-evaluation,” he said.