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Head and Neck

OMS and Other Dental Specialists

Residents

SS11 - Understanding Oropharyngeal Carcinoma: A Comprehensive Guide From Diagnosis to Treatment

Saturday, October 3, 2026
10:20 AM - 11:10 AM PDT
CE: 1.0 CDE/CME
Recorded<br><i>This session will be recorded and available beginning Oct. 19</i>
Oropharyngeal carcinoma constitutes a major subset of head and neck malignancies with rising global incidence, driven in particular by the increasing prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV)-related disease. This presentation aims to provide a clinically oriented overview of current concepts in the epidemiology, diagnosis, prevention, and management of this disease.

The session will first discuss the etiologic and prognostic profiles of HPV-positive and HPV-negative tumors, highlighting implications for staging and outcome prediction. Diagnostic strategies will be examined in detail, including advances in imaging modalities, endoscopic evaluation, tissue biopsy and the role of molecular testing.

Therapeutic management encompasses surgical approaches such as transoral robotic and laser microsurgery as well as contemporary chemoradiation protocols and ongoing efforts toward treatment de-intensification in HPV-mediated disease. Functional and survivorship outcomes – including swallowing, speech and quality of life – will be emphasized as integral to treatment decision-making.

Finally, the presentation will address emerging innovations, including immunotherapeutic strategies, biomarker-driven personalization of therapy and ongoing clinical trials. Attendees will gain a comprehensive, evidence-based framework for the best current diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to oropharyngeal carcinoma in contemporary practice.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of this presentation, participants should be able to:
  1. Understand the rising incidence of oropharyngeal carcinoma.
  2. Understand the diagnosis, staging and the evidence-based treatment of oropharyngeal carcinoma.
  3. Understand the new molecular testing of the disease.
  4. Discuss the role of the vaccine in preventing the disease.
  5. Discuss the new therapeutic approaches, including the de-intensification protocol and immunotherapy.