Does human papillomavirus (HPV) cause throat cancer?

Human papillomavirus (HPV) has been linked to a subset of patients with cancer of the throat, particularly in an area of the body called the oropharynx. Doctors began to notice that certain patients who didn't have the usual risk factors for developing throat cancer, namely long-term tobacco or alcohol use, were developing cancers of the oropharynx. Further study of these patients and their tumors revealed evidence of local infection with the most virulent strains of HPV. Discussion is now being held about potentially expanding recommendations for the vaccines against HPV to include boys. Vaccinating boys and young men against these most aggressive strains of HPV will decrease risks to unvaccinated young women and will hopefully decrease the boys' risks of developing squamous cell cancers (those that arise from the superficial lining) of the throat, particularly for those that also don't smoke.

Yes, HPV infection has been linked to oral, head and neck cancers, specifically oropharyngeal cancers of the tonsils and tongue base. The primary mode of transmission is thought to be oral-genital contact with an infected sexual partner. Men experience HPV-related oral cancers at a higher rate than women. Also, these cancers are more common among smokers and those who use alcohol. 

Oral cancers of the throat are harder to diagnose because they often do not have symptoms until they are in later stages. There are also no specific tests to diagnose these cancers if a person is asymptomatic. 

The best way to protect yourself against HPV-related disease is to limit lifetime sexual partners, use condoms with every sex act, choose partners that do not have multiple other partners, and limit tobacco and alcohol use.