HPV-Associated Head and Neck Cancer: Unique Features of Epidemiology and Clinical Management.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a recently identified causative agent for a subset of head and neck cancers, primarily in the oropharynx, and is largely responsible for the rising worldwide incidence of oropharyngeal cancer (OPC). Patients with HPV-positive OPC have distinct risk factor profiles and generally have a better prognosis than patients with traditional, HPV-negative, head and neck cancer. Concurrent chemotherapy and radiation is a widely accepted primary treatment modality for many patients with HPV-positive OPC. However, recent advances in surgical modalities, including transoral laser and robotic surgery, have led to the reemergence of primary surgical treatment for HPV-positive patients. Clinical trials are under way to determine optimal treatment strategies for the growing subset of patients with HPV-positive OPC. Similarly, identifying those patients with HPV-positive cancer who are at risk for recurrence and poor survival is critical in order to tailor individual treatment regimens and avoid potential undertreatment.
Department of Otolaryngology, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, Washington DC 20007; email: jessica.maxwell@gunet.georgetown.edu.
Jessica H
JH
Maxwell
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, California 94143; email: jennifer.grandis@ucsf.edu.
Jennifer R
JR
Grandis
Department of Otolaryngology, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, Washington DC 20007; email: jessica.maxwell@gunet.georgetown.edu.|Cancer Immunology Program, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15232; email: ferrisrl@upmc.edu.
Robert L
RL
Ferris
D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy* / Q000821:virology*; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D019583:Dose Fractionation, Radiation; D006801:Humans; D057131:Immune Evasion; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; D009959:Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy* / Q000821:virology*; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000276:immunology; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000150:complications*; D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors
D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines
human papillomavirus; oropharyngeal cancer; oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma