Margin Analysis: Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Oropharynx

Felix W Sim; Hong D Xiao; R Bryan Bell

doi:10.1016/j.coms.2017.03.004

Margin Analysis: Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Oropharynx

Oral Maxillofac Surg Clin North Am. 2017 Aug;29(3):269-280. doi: 10.1016/j.coms.2017.03.004.

Authors

Felix W Sim¹, Hong D Xiao², R Bryan Bell³

Affiliations

¹ Head and Neck Institute, Providence Cancer Center, Providence Portland Medical Center, 4805 Northeast Glisan Street, Suite 6N50, Portland, OR 97213, USA.
² Head and Neck Pathologist, Department of Pathology, Providence Portland Medical Center, 4805 Northeast Glisan Street, Suite 6N50, Portland, OR 97213, USA.
³ Head and Neck Institute, Providence Cancer Center, Providence Portland Medical Center, 4805 Northeast Glisan Street, Suite 6N50, Portland, OR 97213, USA. Electronic address: richard.bell@providence.org.

PMID: 28709530
DOI: 10.1016/j.coms.2017.03.004

Abstract

Because of the common shared risk factors of smoking and heavy alcohol consumption, literature involving oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) is often combined with oral squamous cell carcinoma. Human papilloma virus is now confirmed to be a major risk factor of OPSCC with its distinct epidemiology and favorable treatment outcome. The impact of adjuvant chemoradiation in the setting of positive surgical margins remains unclear but is likely influenced by tumor biology. This article reviews the tumor biology of OPSCC and summarizes recent findings on outcomes following surgical treatment of OPSCC.

Keywords: HPV; Head and neck; Local control; Oropharyngeal cancer; Prognosis; Squamous cell carcinoma; Surgical margins.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology*
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / virology
Humans
Margins of Excision*
Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / pathology*
Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / virology
Papillomaviridae / isolation & purification
Papillomavirus Infections / complications