The Role of Transoral Oropharyngectomy in the Management of Oropharyngeal Cancers

The incidence of oropharyngeal carcinoma is increasing as a result of increasing Human Papilloma Virus (HPV subtypes 16 and 18) infection of the oropharynx. 31 patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma were treated in a university teaching hospital. The primary cancer was resected by either transoral laser microsurgery or transoral robotic surgery. Patients underwent simultaneous neck dissection when indicated. The Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) decided whether patients required postoperative radiotherapy/ chemoradiotherapy depending on tumour and patient factors. Survival was analyzed using a Kaplan-Meier estimator. The results were discussed alongside a literature search on oropharyngeal carcinoma management. 87.4% patients were disease free at 1 year, and 77.2 % at both 3 and 5 years. Overall survival at 1 year was 92% and 76.4% at both 3 and 5 years.