HPV-related Oropharynx (Throat) cancers
Tumors related to the HPV-virus can affect tissues of the human throat, including the tonsils and tongue base. HPV-related oropharynx or throat tumors are Squamous Cell Carcinomas, the most common malignancy of the throat lining. However, these tumors differ greatly from the traditional head & neck tumors that share close relationships with tobacco and alcohol use as leading risk factors. HPV-related throat cancers come from longterm DNA damage and transformation caused by exposure to the human papilloma virus (HPV), often years or decades before progression to tumors. This process can be in younger individuals in the fifth and sixth decades of life who do not have a smoking or alcohol use history.
Thankfully these tumors show, on-average, better responses to treatment than non-HPV driven cancers of the throat. The treatment course often involves a combination amongst surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy depending on the size, site, and stage at diagnosis. Transoral robotic surgery is a technique uniquely applied in HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer developed over the last 15 years.
Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) can provide a minimally-invasive approach for treatment of HPV-related oropharynx tumors with quicker recovery and improved outcomes to traditional surgery in these locations.
The newest advance in the surgical treatment of HPV-related oropharynx cancers comes through the introduction of the daVinci Single-Port surgical robot. This flexible, multi-arm robotic system allows head & neck surgeons unparalleled access to the hard-to-reach corners of the upper throat that traditionally required major open surgery. This has led to a paradigm shift in the surgical treatment of head & neck cancers in these locations, avoiding the morbid approaches once relied upon to gain access to these cancers.
Not all oropharynx or HPV-related cancers are suitable for robotic removal, owing to their size, site, and stage at the time of diagnosis. In general, early-stage oropharynx tumors are best suited for the Single-Port robotic approach or TORS. Your doctor will evaluate the anatomic boundaries, location, and lymph node involvement to make this determination.
A close working relationship between the disciplines of head & neck surgery, radiation oncology, and medical oncology are crucial to maximize treatment outcomes in HPV-related oropharynx cancers. We utilize a multi-disciplinary approach through our Head & Neck Tumor Board to define treatment plans for all patients affected by these tumors.
While HPV-related tumors are readily treatable, and often times curable, the important role of prevention and even vaccination remains a critical part of fighting this disease.