Postoperative adjuvant therapy after transoral robotic resection for oropharyngeal carcinomas: rationale and current treatment approach

Abstract

The advancement of transoral surgical techniques for the management of oropharyngeal carcinomas has raised questions about how adjuvant therapy can best be integrated. Some of these questions have come from the application of established oncologic principles of adjuvant therapy, and some are unique to the evolving experience with transoral surgery and in particular with the recent advancement of robotic surgery. It is important for all members of the multidisciplinary treatment team to have a clear understanding of the foundation for adjuvant therapy and the issues unique to transoral robotic surgery to provide optimal patient care as this new treatment paradigm gains popularity for its safe application.