Magnitude of benefit for adjuvant radiotherapy following minimally invasive surgery in intermediate to high risk HPV-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma

The incidence of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) has steadily increased in recent years [1]. High-risk strains of human papillomavirus (HPV) are being recognized as a key driver in this change and are predicted to account for the majority of oropharyngeal carcinomas by 2030 [2 –4]. HPV-positive tumors have greater radio- and chemo-sensitivity which confer more favorable survival rates when compared to HPV-negative tumors [5,6]. Given the fundamental differences in the biology underlying HPV-positive OPSCC, a re-evaluation of traditional treatment algorithms is currently underway in a number of de-intensification treatment regimens [7].

Source: Oral Oncology - June 5, 2018 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Dario Pasalic, Ryan K. Funk, Joaqu ín J. García, Daniel L. Price, Katharine A. Price, William S. Harmsen, Samir H. Patel, Geoffrey D. Young, Robert L. Foote, Eric J. Moore, Daniel J. Ma Source Type: research