title: Cancer of the oropharynx.
abstract: Oropharyngeal cancer is a rare tumour. Tobacco use and alcohol consumption are recognised as major risk factors. Several carcinogens, occupational exposures and vitamin deficiencies represent the most significant predisposing factors. A varying host susceptibility to carcinogens can be inferred. Carcinoma of the oropharynx has to be suspected whenever sore throat, odynophagia, and ear-ache are described by the patient. Biopsy is mandatory for the definitive diagnosis. TNM classification is crucial for treatment decision-making, while stage grouping is less important. Prognostic factors are treatment-related. Standard treatment of T1-T2 tumours is radiation therapy, for T3 and T4 tumour treatment options are controversial. More advanced tumours can be treated either with surgery followed by conventional radiotherapy or by combined chemo-radiation. Non-conventional fractionation radiotherapy in combination with chemotherapy may represent a third option. Acute toxicity needs to be managed promptly. Late sequelae are less known. Treatment of such tumours requires a multidisciplinary approach within experienced centres.
authors.affiliation: START Project, European School of Oncology, Viale Beatrice d'Este, 37, 20122 Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Licitra
authors.forename: Jacques
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bernier
authors.forename: Cesare
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Grandi
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Merlano
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bruzzi
authors.forename: Jean-Louis
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Lefebvre
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D009959:Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy