The Increase of Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

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The incidence of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) has been steadily increasing, in contrast to the steady decline of other head and neck cancers.1- 5 This trend has been attributed to the increased incidence of human papillomavirus (HPV)–positive OPSCC,6,7 comprising 40.5% of cases of OPSCC before 2000 and up to 70% since 2009 (P < .001).3 The differing etiologies for OPSCC has been shown to affect 2 different patient populations with differing overall prognosis. Human papillomavirus–positive OPSCC affects younger, nonsmoking, white males and patients with more extensive sexual history.1,8- 12 Human papillomavirus–negative OPSCC tends to affect older patients with a history of heavy tobacco smoking and alcohol use, similar to squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) affecting other locations.5,13,14 Patients with HPV-positive OPSCC have been proven to have a more favorable prognosis6,8,15,16 and quality of life17 than those with HPV-negative OSPCC. ..Given that T stage in OPSCC correlates with prognosis, the best opportunity for cure is when tumors are asymptomatic and small (<2...

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