Predictive Value of HPV, p53, and p16 in the Post-Treatment Evolution of Malignant Tumors of the Oropharynx and Retromolar Trigone–Oropharynx Junction

Background and objectives: Knowledge of the interactions and influences of infectious, genetic, and environmental factors on the evolution and treatment response of malignant tumors is essential for improving the management of the disease and increasing patient survival. The objective of this study was to establish the contribution of human papillomavirus (HPV), as well as p53 and p16 tumor markers, alongside associated factors (smoking and alcohol consumption), in the progression of malignancies located in the oropharynx and at the retromolar trigone–oropharyngeal junction. Materials and Methods: We performed a prospective study including 50 patients with malignant tumors of the oropharynx and retromolar trigone–oropharyngeal junction. In all patients, the presence and type of HPV were determined, as well as the status of the tumor markers p53 and p16. The associated risk factors, biopsy results, treatment method, and post-treatment evolution were all documented. Statistical analyses were performed to evaluate the correlations between the determining factors and their influence on the post-treatment evolution. An overall increased survival rate was found in HPV(+) patients. Results: Our study outlined the prevalence of different high-risk subtypes of HPV from the ones presented by other studies, suggesting a possible geographic variation. Correlations between the p53 and p16 statuses and patient survival could be established. The association of smoking and alcohol consumption strongly correlated with an unfavorable evolution. Conclusions: Awareness of the differences in the post-treatment evolution of the patients in relation to the presence of the factors determined in our study could change the future management of such cases for ensuring improved treatment outcomes.

Implications of Tumor Size, Subsite, and Adjuvant Therapy on Outcomes in pT4aN0 Oral Cavity Carcinoma

Objective To determine if tumor size, subsite, and adjuvant radiation therapy (AXRT) are associated with overall survival (OS) in patients with pT4aN0 oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) who underwent mandibulectomy with negative surgical margins (NSMs). Study Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting National Cancer Database (NCDB). Subjects and Methods Retrospective analysis of the NCDB that included patients diagnosed with pT4aN0 OSCC who underwent mandibulectomy with NSMs between 2004 and 2015. The association of age, Charlson-Deyo score (CDS), tumor size, subsite, and AXRT with OS was analyzed. The cases were divided into 3 subgroups based on maximal tumor dimension for subgroup analysis; tumors ≤2.0 cm, tumors 2.1 to 4.0 cm, and tumors >4.0 cm. Results For the entire cohort; age ( P < .001; hazard ratio [HR], 1.03; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02-1.03), CDS ( P = .013; HR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.37-0.89), tongue subsite ( P = .003; HR, 2.01; 95% CI, 1.27-3.40), floor of mouth subsite ( P = .001; HR, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.28-2.42), tumor size ( P < .001; HR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.45-0.72), and AXRT ( P < .001; HR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.24-1.72) were associated with OS on multivariate analysis. On subgroup analysis, AXRT not significantly associated with OS in patients with gingival, hard palate, retromolar trigone, and not specified tumors ≤2.0 cm ( P = .323; HR, 1.29; 95% CI, 0.78-2.15). Conclusions In patients with pT4aN0 OSCC who underwent mandibulectomy with NSMs, age, CDS, tongue subsite, floor of mouth subsite, tumor size, and AXRT are associated with OS. AXRT was not significantly associated with overall survival in patients with gingival, hard palate, retromolar trigone, and not specified tumors ≤2.0 cm.