Oropharyngeal Cancer

Oropharynx is located between the soft palate superiorly and the hyoid bone inferiorly. The oropharynx has four walls; soft palate, tonsillar region, base of tongue, and pharyngeal wall. It is associated with tobacco use and alcohol consumption and HPV. Tonsillar and pharyngeal tongue tumors frequently are initially recognized by nodal metastases.

Management:
Oropharyngeal cancers are mainly treated by Radiotherapy in combination with chemotherapy. Surgery can be used in selected cases.

Note:
Head and neck tumour patients must be referred to cancer specialized centers for evaluation and definitive management.
Curative radiotherapy dose for head and neck cancers is 66–70Gy given at conventional fraction of 1.8–2Gy/f
Follow up visits: 1st visit at 4–6weeks then after each 3–4 months in the 1st year, 6 monthly in the 2nd year thereafter yearly.