Oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma treatment: current standards and future directions.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose of review

To discuss the changing landscape and significant developments in the diagnosis and management of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Recent findings

High-risk human papilloma viruses (HPVs) have been recognized as important causative factors for oropharyngeal cancer. The diagnosis is established with type-specific and broad-spectrum in-situ hybridization probes and/or p16 immunohistochemistry assays on fresh frozen paraffin-embedded tissue blocks. HPV-associated tumors have superior response and outcomes compared with HPV-unrelated tumors. Retrospective studies have been able to stratify oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma based on HPV status, tumor stage, nodal stage, and smoking history into risk groups with differing risks of death or distant disea

SUBMITTER: Marur S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5813288 | biostudies-literature | 2014 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature