Final answer:
Oropharyngeal cancers, notably in the tonsils and base of the tongue, are primarily caused by certain high-risk strains of the human papilloma virus (HPV). The palatine and lingual tonsils, which function to trap pathogens, can be susceptible to the virus, leading to cancerous changes in the tissue.
Step-by-step explanation:
Most oropharyngeal cancers, including those in the tonsils and the base of the tongue, are caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV). This virus, which includes over 100 strains, can enter the cells of the oropharynx and use the cell's machinery to replicate itself. While the palatine tonsil is a lymphoid tissue located near the oropharynx that traps and destroys pathogens, HPV has the capability to take over the host cell's metabolic mechanisms, potentially leading to cancerous growths.
The oropharynx itself is a passageway for both air and food, changing from pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium to stratified squamous epithelium, which are more susceptible to the changes HPV can induce within the cells. Ensuring a good understanding of the virus's role in these cancers is crucial for prevention and treatment strategies, especially considering the high-risk strains of HPV associated with oropharyngeal cancers.