Outcomes Assessed for HPV-Related Head, Neck CA Requiring Resections

Researchers found that regional recurrences were seen in 6% of patients, and 17% experienced distant recurrences

HealthDay News — Good regional control can be achieved with up-front surgery and adjuvant therapy for patients with invasive nodal disease from oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) related to human papillomavirus (HPV), according to a study published online January 29 in Head & Neck.

Joseph Zenga, MD, from Washington University in Saint Louis, and colleagues assessed oncologic outcomes among 72 patients with HPV-related oropharyngeal SCC requiring resection of major muscular or neurovascular tissue during neck dissection for invasive nodal disease. 

The researchers found that regional recurrences were seen in 6% of patients, and 17% experienced distant recurrences. Decreased disease-free survival was associated with advanced T classification, pathological node number ≥5, and omission of adjuvant therapy. However, adding adjuvant chemotherapy did not improve survival.

"In patients with HPV-related oropharyngeal SCC requiring resection of major muscular or neurovascular tissue due to invasive nodal disease, up-front surgical management with adjuvant therapy results in excellent long-term regional control," the authors write.

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