De-intensification of adjuvant therapy in human papillomavirus-associated oropharyngeal cancer. Issue 1 (December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: An, Yi; Holsinger, F.; Husain, Zain
• Is Part Of: Cancers of the head & neck. Volume 1:Issue 1(2016)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 9
• Publication Date: 2016-12
• Subjects: Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) -- Oropharyngeal cancer -- De-intensification -- Adjuvant Therapy; Head -- Cancer -- Periodicals; Head -- Cancer -- Treatment -- Periodicals; Head -- Cancer -- Diagnosis -- Periodicals; Head -- Cancer -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Neck -- Cancer -- Periodicals; Neck -- Cancer -- Treatment -- Periodicals; Neck -- Cancer -- Diagnosis -- Periodicals; Neck -- Cancer -- Prevention -- Periodicals; 616.99491
• DOI: 10.1186/s41199-016-0016-7
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2059-7347

Abstract

Abstract Current adjuvant treatment guidelines for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma treated with primary surgery are based on studies that predate the human papillomavirus (HPV) era. HPV-associated oropharynx carcinoma (HPV-OPC) has a much more favorable prognosis compared to HPV-unassociated cancer and is increasingly considered to be a distinct disease entity due to its unique etiology, presentation, and behavior. Currently, there is significant interest in adjuvant treatment de-intensification of HPV-OPC patients in order to reduce treatment-related toxicity while maintaining excellent clinical outcomes. Here, we review the evidence and rationale underlying the ongoing prospective trials of adjuvant treatment de-intensification for HPV-OPC patients.