The Current State of Biological and Clinical Implications of Human Papillomavirus-Related Oropharyngeal Cancer

In the effort to control human papillomavirus-related oropharyngeal cancer, the head and neck oncology community has devoted much effort to understanding its disease biology and clinical behavior, and refining strategies to address early diagnosis and optimal management for the affected population. This review identifies articles published up to March 2017 on tumor biology and clinical implications of human papillomavirus-related oropharyngeal cancer, and summarizes the findings in some key areas. These include potential screening strategies, possible anatomical features responsible for early lymph node involvement and its implication for staging, biological mechanisms to explain superior outcomes compared to traditional nonviral-related mucosal cancers, re-appreciation of traditional prognostic factors (eg, hypoxia, extranodal extension, and smoking), and current efforts to optimize management for this patient population. The review reflects the global effort to mitigate the influence of this burgeoning disease.