HPV+ Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Surgical Approach to Management

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: HPV mediated oropharynx cancer is on the rise. More and more commonly, Otolaryngologists are providing the initial work-up and treatment planning process for patients affected by this disease. In the last few years, there has been a proliferation of trials aimed at mitigating some of the adverse effects of cancer treatment while maintaining oncologic outcomes. Many of these trials focus on using surgery as a primary treatment tool allowing for de-intensified adjuvant therapy in certain circumstances. This along with increased utilization of robotic surgery in the Head and Neck has led to an expanded role for surgery in oropharynx cancers. Many of these trials are surgeon led, and occasionally surgical approaches are viewed less favorably by medical and radiation oncologists (in particular oncologists in the community who focus less on Head and Neck cancer treatment). The goal of this panel is to provide a case-based discussion of common presentations of HPV mediated oropharynx cancers and to review treatment options from the purview of both surgeons and radiation oncologists. By bringing a radiation oncologist onto the panel, we feel this presentation offers a nuanced discussion on the role of surgery for oropharynx cancer that is otherwise not well represented in the surgical community. As noted above, otolaryngologists are the front lines for diagnosing and managing patients with oropharynx cancer. This panel provides a framework for otolaryngologists to communicate with their radiation oncology colleagues and to better provide input for the cancer treatment plan whether the otolaryngologist is in a community practice with infrequent exposure to oncologic care or in a multi-disciplinary tumor board setting. We aim to equip otolaryngologists to be the primary point of care for patients with HPV mediated oropharynx cancers.