The immune system almost always clears HPV eventually, at least to a point it cannot be detected with standard DNA testing. It often takes 2 years, sometimes several years. But it is likely your immune system indeed eradicate your HPV16 infection. (LEEP never eradicates HPV. It removes cells that have become pre-cancerous, but but plenty HPV is left behind for the immune system to deal with.) Could you have had oral/throat HPV16 infection at that time? Sure -- it's quite common, more so if you performed oral sex on the person from whom you acquired your cervical infection. However, oral HPV also is cleared by the immune system over time. It is unlikely you do not have detectable oral HPV16 at this time. That said, HPV can be suppressed by the immune system to a point the standard DNA tests do not detect it, and then recur. So I cannot say you are at zero risk for future development of throat cancer (or cervical or anal cancer) if your past HPV16 reactivates. But the chance of any of these is extremely low.

There's been a lot of media attention in recent years to pharyngeal (throat) cancer caused by HPV, and its frequency has been rising. But it remains an uncommon cancer -- a lot less frequent than breast, colon, lung, prostate, lymphoma, and other common cancers. Last I recall, there were around 16,000 cases per year in the entire US population. And millions of persons have had HPV16 (virtually the only HPV that causes pharyngeal cancer), and millions of those have had oral infection:  so even among those with HPV16, throat cancer remains rare. (You can easily check statistics on this and all other cancers at the American Cancer society website (www.cancer.org).

For those reasons, your past history of precancerous cervical dysplasia due to HPV16 really doesn't mean you are at especially high risk for this fairly uncommon cancer. Perhaps a final word of reassurance is that pharyngeal cancer from HPV usually can effectively treated and cured. 

It is not unreasonable to assure that when you have routine dental care, you ask the dentist to keep an eye out for any abnormalities in your pharynx. Or you could take it to an even higher level, and see an otolaryngologist (ENT specialist) for a careful examination every few years. But even without these measures, your risk is very low!

Finally, you can discuss HPV immunization with your primary care physician. Although the HPV vaccine initially was believed to have no effect on previously existing HPV infection, recent research has documented reduced rates of reactivation. Whether immunization would further lower your already low risk of HPV16 reactivation pharyngeal cancer isn't known -- but the vaccine is harmless and might add an additional measure of reassurance.

I hope these comments are helpful. Let me know if anything isn't clear.

HHH, MD

“ It is unlikely you do not have detectable oral HPV16 at this time.”

The need and value of boostering the HPV vaccines isn't really known. But after 14 years, I think it makes sense for you to speak with your doctor about having one dose of Gardasil-9, as an HPV16 booster. I would not recommend a 3 dose course, unless you are under 46 years old and your sexual lifestyle makes it likely you'll be exposed to the 5 HPV types covered by G-9 and not by G-4. If you're not "out there" (i.e. dating), I wouldn't recommend it.

That concludes this thread. I'm glad the discussion has apparently been helpful. If you are still happy with our services, would you consider making a tax deductible charitable donation to ASHA, the forum sponsor? ASHA is the nation's top nonprofit organization in support of sexual health, especially in relation to STIs. There is a donate link at www.ashasexualhealth.org.

Best wishes and stay safe.