Low‐risk human papilloma virus positive oropharyngeal cancer with one positive lymph node: Equivalent outcomes in patients treated with surgery and radiation therapy versus surgery alone

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Low‐risk human papilloma virus positive oropharyngeal cancer with one positive lymph node: Equivalent outcomes in patients treated with surgery and radiation therapy versus surgery alone Via Head & Neck Abstract Background For human papilloma virus positive (HPV+) oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC), management recommendations for patients with a single metastatic lymph node <6 cm in diameter remain nebulous, leading to treatment heterogeneity in this common subgroup of patients. Methods We utilized the National Cancer Database to perform survival and multivariable analyses of patients with HPV+ OPSCC with one positive lymph node <6 cm and negative surgical margins. Results We found that 5‐year survival is comparable between patients who receive surgery and adjuvant radiation versus surgery alone. In multivariable analyses, we found no significant difference in the hazard ratio of overall survival after adjusting for various potential confounders. Conclusions These data suggest that patients with margin‐negative HPV+ OPSCC with a single positive lymph node <6 cm have comparable survival with or without adjuvant radiation. Future studies exploring outcomes for this specific group in randomized‐controlled trials will be critical for further evaluating these initial observations. View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.