HPV, or Human Papillomavirus, has been in the news quite a bit because of its link to cervical cancer. And the recently introduced vaccine for girls to prevent infections.
But HPV can also play a role in head and neck cancer.
A new study from the University of Michigan finds HPV related cancers of the tongue and tonsils actually respond well to chemotherapy and radiation treatments.
Such patients, researchers say, are therefore most likely to survive.
On the other hand -- cancers of the tonsils and the base of the tongue that have high levels of a specific growth factor receptor are least responsive to current treatments.
Researchers say this is a step in the right direction toward individualized cancer treatments.

And in other medical news…
Vaccine manufacturers are planning a record supply of flu shots next year, despite the problems seen with this year's batch.
The five companies that manufacture flu vaccines for the u-s are planning on producing 143 million doses for the 2008 - 2009 flu season, up three million from this year.
However, some experts say the demand may be lower because of the vaccine problems this season. This year the vaccine was forty-four percent effective overall.
Experts are meeting this week in Atlanta to discuss next year's flu season, with topics including vaccine supply and the strains that will be covered.