Treatment FAQ

how does treatment change for p16 negative oropharyngeal cancers?

by Gaetano Buckridge MD Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

What is p16 negative oropharynx cancer?

Oropharyngeal (p16-negative) cancer (staging) Oropharyngeal (p16-) cancer staging refers to TNM staging of carcinomas originating in the oropharynx that are not human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated. This system most commonly pertains to squamous cell carcinomas that tested negative for p16, an immunohistochemical proxy for HPV infection, ...

What is the optimal approach for the treatment of oropharyngeal cancer?

An optimal approach for the treatment of oropharyngeal cancer is not easily defined because no single regimen offers a clear-cut, superior-survival advantage. The literature reports various therapeutic options but does not contain reports presenting any valid comparative studies of these options.

Does index oropharyngeal cancer affect the second primary malignancy rate?

The second primary malignancy rate was lower for patients with index oropharyngeal SCC than for patients with index non-oropharyngeal cancer ( P < .001).

Should neoadjuvant chemotherapy be used in oropharyngeal cancer?

Overall, the role of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for patients with oropharyngeal cancer remains unclear. However, in HPV-defined subsets, more information is needed because, as this phase II study suggests, in that setting, neoadjuvant chemotherapy may be used with less chemoradiation.

What does negative p16 mean?

Oropharyngeal (p16-) cancer staging refers to TNM staging of carcinomas originating in the oropharynx that are not human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated. This system most commonly pertains to squamous cell carcinomas that tested negative for p16, an immunohistochemical proxy for HPV infection, or were not tested.

What is the importance of p16 staining in oropharyngeal cancer?

Results: p16 is the strongest independent prognostic marker in OPSCC, surpassing the significance of cT and cN classification as well as the clinical stages I–IV. Prognosis of p16-positive OPSCC of an advanced stage reached or even exceeded prognosis of the next clinically smaller conventionally staged group of tumors.

Is p16 the same as HPV 16?

Consequently, p16 is assumed to be an indirect marker of HPV-induced SCCHN. Several studies describe p16 protein detection as a useful marker of HPV (especially HPV-16) activity (12-15).

How is oropharyngeal cancer treated?

Common treatment approaches In general, surgery is the first treatment for cancers of the oral cavity and may be followed by radiation or combined chemotherapy and radiation. Oropharyngeal cancers are usually treated with a combination of chemotherapy and radiation.

What does p16 positive mean on biopsy?

In cervical squamous lesions, p16 is positive in most high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and in some cases of low-grade CIN, usually those associated with high-risk HPV.

What is p16 staining?

p16 immunostaining is used as a surrogate marker for transcriptionally active HPV. Although diffuse staining is generally accepted as positive, the significance of partial staining has not been established, nor has the cutoff for extent of p16 staining that should be used to identify a tumor as HPV-related.

Can you be p16 positive and HPV negative?

In fact, studies have shown that approximately 15% to 20% of p16 positive oropharyngeal SCC cases are HPV ISH negative. However, the features of such tumors and their clinical behavior are unknown.

Can Hsil be p16 negative?

The negative predictive value for p16 immunoreactivity to predict cervical lesions less than high grade is almost 100% in our study. Our study suggests that when a woman is negative for HPV and also negative for p16, diagnosis of HSIL should be very cautious in void of unnecessary LEEP procedures.

What is a p16 tumor?

p16 is a tumor suppressor protein that plays an important role in regulating the cell circle. As a CDK inhibitor, p16 can slow down the progression of the cell cycle by inactivating the CDK that phosphorylates the retinoblastoma protein, which is also a tumor suppressor protein that regulates the cell circle.

What is the success rate of radiation therapy for oral cancer?

Nevertheless, radiotherapy remains important in managing tongue carcinoma, owing to its better functional and aesthetic results. The data for this group suggested that the 5-year survival rate was 52.5% among patients treated only by surgery, and 56.0% among patients who had received both radiotherapy and surgery.

Can immunotherapy cure oral cancer?

Immunotherapy can be used to treat oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers. Immunotherapy is the use of medicines to help boost a person's own immune system to find and destroy cancer cells more effectively. It typically works on specific proteins involved in the immune system to enhance the immune response.

Can oropharynx cancer be cured?

Oral and oropharyngeal cancers can often be cured, especially if the cancer is found at an early stage. Although curing the cancer is the primary goal of treatment, preserving the function of the nearby nerves, organs, and tissues is also very important.

What is the most common location for a primary tumor of the oropharynx?

The anterior tonsillar pillar and tonsil are the most common location for a primary tumor of the oropharynx. [ 4] Lesions involving the anterior tonsillar pillar may appear as areas of dysplasia, inflammation, or a superficial spreading lesion. These cancers can spread across a broad region, including the lateral soft palate, retromolar trigone and buccal mucosa, and tonsillar fossa. [ 3, 4] The lymphatic drainage is primarily to level II nodes.

Where is the oropharynx located?

Anatomically, the oropharynx is located between the soft palate superiorly and the hyoid bone inferiorly; it is continuous with the oral cavity anteriorly and communicates with the nasopharynx superiorly and the supraglottic larynx and hypopharynx inferiorly.

What is the risk of developing a second primary tumor?

The risk of developing a second primary tumor in patients with tumors of the upper aerodigestive tract has been estimated to be 3% to 7% per year. [ 18, 19] Because of this risk, patients require lifelong surveillance. Smoking and alcohol consumption after treatment are associated with the development of second primary tumors of the aerodigestive tract. [ 20 - 22] Patients may need counseling to discontinue smoking and alcohol consumption.

How often should a head and neck exam be done?

A careful examination of the patient's head and neck allows the physician to look for recurrence every 6 to 12 weeks for the first posttreatment year, every 3 months for the second year, every 3 to 4 months for the third year, and every 6 months thereafter.

What are the lymph nodes in the head?

Regional lymph node anatomy of the head and neck. The regional lymph nodes of the head and neck include the lymph nodes that run parallel to the jugular veins, spinal accessory nerve, and facial artery, and into the submandibular triangle.

Why is the base of the tongue asymptomatic?

Because the base of the tongue is devoid of pain fibers, these tumors are often asymptomatic until there is significant tumor progression. [ 4] Signs and symptoms of advanced base-of-the-tongue cancers may include the following: [ 3, 4] Pain. Dysphagia.

Is oropharyngeal cancer increasing?

Oropharyngeal cancer is increasing in incidence, which is attributed to the rise in human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated oropharyngeal cancer; men are more than twice as likely as women to have oropharyngeal cancer. [ 1 - 3]

What is the purpose of a test after oropharyngeal cancer diagnosis?

After oropharyngeal cancer has been diagnosed, tests are done to find out if cancer cells have spread within the oropharynx or to other parts of the body.

Who should treat oropharyngeal cancer?

Patients with oropharyngeal cancer should have their treatment planned by a team of doctors with expertise in treating head and neck cancer. The patient's treatment will be overseen by a medical oncologist, a doctor who specializes in treating people with cancer.

What test is used to test for cancer?

If cancer is found, the following test may be done to study the cancer cells: HPV test (human papillomavirus test): A laboratory test used to check the sample of tissue for certain types of HPV infection, such as HPV type 16. This test is done because oropharyngeal cancer can be caused by HPV infection.

What is the name of the virus that causes head and neck cancer?

Being infected with human papillomavirus (HPV), especially HPV type 16. The number of cases of oropharyngeal cancers linked to HPV infection is increasing. Personal history of head and neck cancer. Chewing betel quid, a stimulant commonly used in parts of Asia.

What is the cancer of the oropharynx?

Oropharyngeal cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the oropharynx. Smoking or being infected with human papillomavirus (HPV) can increase the risk of oropharyngeal cancer. Signs and symptoms of oropharyngeal cancer include a lump in the neck and a sore throat. Tests that examine the mouth and throat are ...

How does chemo work?

Chemotherapy is a cancer treatment that uses drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. When chemotherapy is taken by mouth or injected into a vein or muscle, the drugs enter the bloodstream and can reach cancer cells throughout the body ( systemic chemotherapy ).

Is lymph node cancer a prognosis?

The number and size of lymph nodes with cancer. Oropharyngeal tumors related to HPV infection have a better prognosis and are less likely to recur than tumors not linked to HPV infection. Treatment options depend on the following: The stage of the cancer.

What is P16 negative?

Oropharyngeal (p16-negative) cancer (staging) Oropharyngeal (p16-) cancer staging refers to TNM staging of carcinomas originating in the oropharynx that are not human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated.

What is the 8th edition of the HPV staging system?

The 8th edition staging system separated HPV-associated and non-HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancers 3 . Otherwise, the T category definitions did not change from the 7th edition staging system. Nodal staging was changed, as with other head and neck sites, to emphasize extranodal extension.

What is provisional clinical opinion?

An ASCO provisional clinical opinion offers timely clinical direction to ASCO’s membership after publication or presentation of potentially practice-changing data from major studies. This provisional clinical opinion addresses the role of treatment deintensification in the management of p16+ oropharyngeal cancer (OPC).

Why is accurate identification of patients at low risk for death important?

Accurate identification of patients who are at low risk for death when approached with current treatment paradigms is essential in defining those most likely to benefit from treatment deintensification without compromising overall survival. Several publications have helped to describe low-risk cohorts.

What is ASCO in clinical practice?

The clinical practice guidelines and other guidance published herein are provided by the American Society of Clinical Oncology, Inc. (ASCO) to assist providers in clinical decision making. The information therein should not be relied upon as being complete or accurate, nor should it be considered as inclusive of all proper treatments or methods of care or as a statement of the standard of care. With the rapid development of scientific knowledge, new evidence may emerge between the time information is developed and when it is published or read. The information is not continually updated and may not reflect the most recent evidence. The information addresses only the topics specifically identified therein and is not applicable to other interventions, diseases, or stages of diseases. This information does not mandate any particular course of medical care. Further, the information is not intended to substitute for the independent professional judgment of the treating provider, as the information does not account for individual variation among patients. In all cases, the selected course of action should be considered by the treating provider in the context of treating the individual patient. Use of the information is voluntary. ASCO provides this information on an “as is” basis, and makes no warranty, express or implied, regarding the information. ASCO specifically disclaims any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular use or purpose. ASCO assumes no responsibility for any injury or damage to persons or property arising out of or related to any use of this information or for any errors or omissions.

P16 Immunostain Pathology

A P16 immunostain refers to the protein made by normal or abnormal cells involving a few types of tumors or cancers. The role of P16 immunostain is to prevent the change of a normal cell into a cancer cell.

P16 Immunostain Positive & Negative Meaning

P16 immunostaining can be both positive and negative. P16 or INK4A immunostain is a strong indicator. It is used for high-risk-HPV associated dysplasias and oropharyngeal carcinomas. However, it is sometimes unreliable to predict low-risk-HPV-infection in neck and head papillomas and laryngeal dysplasias.

P16 Immunostain Staining

In biochemistry, immunostaining is an antibody-based method used to detect a particular protein in a sample. This term was first described by Albert Coons to refer to the immunohistochemical staining of tissue sections. There are many applications of the immunostaining strategy.

What is the T3 of the oropharynx?

M0. The cancer is larger than 4 cm (T3). For cancers of the oropharynx, T3 also includes tumors that are growing into the epiglottis (the base of the tongue). It has not spread to nearby lymph nodes (N0) or to distant sites (M0).

What is the earliest stage of oral cancer?

The earliest stage oral cavity or oropharyngeal cancers are called stage 0 (carcinoma in situ). Stages then range from I (1) through IV (4). As a rule, the lower the number, the less the cancer has spread. A higher number, such as stage IV, means cancer has spread more. And within a stage, an earlier letter means a lower stage.

What is the stage of cancer?

The stage of a cancer describes how much cancer is in the body. It helps determine how serious the cancer is and how best to treat it. Doctors also use a cancer's stage when talking about survival statistics. The earliest stage oral cavity or oropharyngeal cancers are called stage 0 (carcinoma in situ). Stages then range from I (1) through IV (4).

What does it mean when you have a higher number of cancers?

A higher number, such as stage IV, means cancer has spread more . And within a stage, an earlier letter means a lower stage. Although each person’s cancer experience is unique, cancers with similar stages tend to have a similar outlook and are often treated in much the same way.

What nerve is involved in lip cancer?

For lip cancers: nearby bone, the inferior alveolar nerve (the nerve to the jawbone), the floor of the mouth, or the skin of the chin or nose (T4a) For oral cavity cancers: the bones of the jaw or face, deep muscle of the tongue, skin of the face, or the maxillary sinus (T4a)

Does oropharynx cancer spread to lymph nodes?

The cancer is any size and may have grown into nearby structures if oropharynx cancer (T1-T3) AND has spread to 1 lymph node on the same side as the primary tumor. The cancer has not grown outside of the lymph node and the lymph node is no larger than 3 cm (N1). It has not spread to distant sites (M0). IVA.

Does HPV have a better outlook than P16?

Sometimes, though, the cancer has spread further than the clinical stage estimates, and it may not predict the patient’s outlook as accurately as a pathologic stage. Oropharyngeal cancers that contain HPV DNA (called p16-positive) tend to have a better outlook than those without HPV (p16-negative).

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