Role of Surgery in the Treatment of Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Population-Based Review

Abstract

Background: Since most oropharyngeal carcinomas are locally advanced at presentation, patients are often treated with radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy. However, for early stage oropharyngeal carcinoma, national guidelines state that it can be treated by either primary surgery or radiotherapy. This study analyse national survival rates of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma for surgical and nonsurgical treatment modalities.