Comparison of outcomes of locoregionally advanced oropharyngeal and non-oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma over two decades.

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) has emerged as a causative agent and positive prognostic factor for oropharyngeal (OP) head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC). This prompts inquiry into whether therapy improvements or increasing incidence of HPV drives the apparent improvements in HNSCC outcomes observed in non-randomized clinical trials.

Patients And Methods: We reviewed all locoregionally advanced HNSCC patients treated with chemotherapy and radiation in prospective institutional trials at a single institution.