[The role of human papillomaviruses (HPV) in upper respiratory tract diseases].

High-risk papillomaviruses (HPVs) are etiologic agents for anogenital tract cancers and have been detected in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. Still a viral etiology of head and neck cancers had not been established unambiguously. For head and neck cancers two major risk factors (tobacco smoke and alcohol) have been recognised and HPV infection may play a synergistic role in the multifactorial etiology of the tumors.