Introduction: Epidermoid carcinoma of the oral cavity has been classically associated with male patients over the age of 50, with chronic consumption of tobacco, alcohol. In recent years is increasing the incidence of these tumours in patients younger than 45 years with or without these factors of risk suggesting that there should be new factor associated such as HPV.

Materials and methods: A retrospective study on a population of 88 patients with carcinoma of the oral mucosa was performed. Firstly the screnning of HPV PCR and later the viral genotype was determined using hybridization techniques.

Results: The mean age was 61 years, male in 68% of cases. 43% were smokers and 28% alcohol drinkers. 59% were HPV positive, the most prevalent genotypes were 6, 11,16, 39–66. In 50% There were more than 2 genotypes. It was determined the association between the some variables (surgical margin, degree of differentiation, etc .) and the viral genotypes and only some of them were statistically significant.

Conclusions: The relationship between HPV and oral cancer is proved. In this study there is a high incidence of HPV and highlights both low/high viral genotypes. Only few variables are statistically related with this virus.