The Prognostic Role of HPV Status Based on the Analysis of Outcomes of Combined Treatment of Oral Cavity and Oropharyngeal Cancers

Abstract

Background and Objectives: The aim of the paper is to assess the impact of HPV DNA on the survival and cure rates of patients with newly diagnosed head and neck cancers. Materials and Methods: The study group consisted of 51 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity and oropharynx. All patients underwent primary surgical treatment, extended by adjuvant treatment in 33 patients (65%). Cases with cT2 (n = 23; 45%) and cN0 (n = 25; 49%) were the most common. In total, 27 patients (53%) were HPV-dependent, including 14 (27%) patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity and 13 (25%) with squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx. The Kaplan–Meier method was used to assess 3-year overall survival (OS) and 3-year locoregional control (LRC), depending on tumor location and HPV status. Results: The 3-year OS rates in the group of HPV-dependent and HPV-independent patients with oral cavity tumors were 80% and 82%, respectively; p = 0.965. In the group of HPV-dependent and HPV-independent patients with oropharyngeal cancer, the 3-year OS rates were 100% and 67.5%, respectively; p = 0.045. In patients with oropharyngeal cancer, the 3-year LRC rates for HPV-dependent and HPV-independent patients were 100% and 59%, respectively; p = 0.059. In the group of patients with oral cavity cancer, 3-year LRC rates for HPV-dependent and HPV-independent subjects were 55% and 52%, respectively; p = 0.771. Conclusions: HPV-dependent patients with oropharyngeal cancer had better 3-year OS and LRC rates compared to HPV-independent patients. However, in the group of patients with oral cavity cancer, HPV status did not show prognostic significance.

The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Medicina, 2026 · DOI ↗