Oral Oncol
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HPV-positive oropharynx squamous cell cancer (HPV-OPC) patients were initially described as younger, however incidence has increased among older age-groups. It is unknown why some patients present at a younger age and others at a later age. ⋯ Younger, middle-age and older HPV-OPC have distinct biomarker and behavioral profiles. Younger HPV-OPC cases have higher intensity of sexual exposure than older cases and controls, which may in part explain earlier disease onset. The distribution of HPV16-positive tumors among HPV-OPC differs by age group.