Human Papillomavirus-Positive Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Demographics, Prognosis, and Staging

Ryan K. Cleary and Anthony J. Cmelak

Department of Radiation Oncology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, USA

^*Correspondance to: Anthony J. Cmelak 

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Abstract:

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually-transmitted infection that is responsible for increasing rates of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) in the United States and around the world. Compared to head and heck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) caused by traditional risk factors such as smoking and alcohol, patients with HPV-positive (HPV+) OPSCC are younger, more likely to be male, and enjoy a significantly improved prognosis. As HPV status represents the most important prognostic variable for OPSCC patients, current staging systems which do not take it into account are inadequate for staging HPV+ OPSCC. Herein, we will review the shifting demographics of HPV infection as they relate to OPSCC incidence, outline the data suggesting improved outcomes in HPV+ OPSCC, and highlight current efforts to develop a new staging system for HPV+ OPSCC patients.

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Cite the Article:

Cleary RK, Cmelak AJ. Human Papillomavirus-Positive Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Demographics, Prognosis, and Staging. Clin Oncol. 2016; 1: 1018.