Human Papillomavirus-Associated Oropharyngeal Cancer: Defining Risk Groups and Clinical Trials.

ABSTRACT: Human papillomavirus-associated oropharynx cancer (HPVA-OPC) is rapidly increasing in incidence and has unique epidemiologic, molecular, and biologic characteristics. Despite being recognized as having superior prognosis, current evidence does not support less intense therapy compared with HPV-negative OPC. Current combined modality therapies confer a significant risk of morbidity, and patients with HPVA-OPC have a younger median age. These patients, therefore, live longer with the adverse effects of treatment, and this spurs the development of treatment deintensification trials that attempt to decrease treatment-related morbidity without compromising efficacy. Many radiation and chemotherapy de-escalation trials are underway. Minimally invasive surgical techniques are also being evaluated

SUBMITTER: Bhatia A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5814107 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature