Human Papillomavirus Impact on Temporal Treatment Trends in Oropharyngeal Carcinoma: 2010-2016

Introduction: The study objective was to identify practice patterns in oropharyngeal cancer management from 2010 to 2016 among human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated and non-HPV-associated oropharyngeal squamous-cell carcinoma (OPSCC) patients. Methods: The National Cancer Database was utilized to identify OPSCC patients from 2010 to 2016. Frequency distributions and multivariable analyses were generated to identify practice patterns and predictors of treatment modality. Results: A total of 35,956 patients with nonmetastatic OPSCC were included. HPV status was not associated with a treatment modality preference. At academic centers, the proportion of HPV-associated OPSCC patients versus non-HPV-associated OPSCC patients undergoing surgical management was similar (35.7%; 35.9%). Community cancer programs treated patients less often surgically but with no significant treatment preference based on HPV status. Within each facility type, HPV status was not a predictor of surgical or nonsurgical management. Conclusion: HPV association does not appear to significantly influence treatment modality preference among OPSCC patients. The proportion of OPSCC patients undergoing surgical treatment declined from 2010 to 2016.