Radiotherapy vs. Trans-Oral Surgery for HPV-Negative Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Prior treatment

• Serious medical comorbidities or other contraindications to radiotherapy, chemotherapy or surgery
• Prior history of head and neck cancer within 5 years
• Prior head and neck radiation at any time
• Inability to attend full course of radiotherapy or follow-up visits

Other illness

• Metastatic disease
• Prior invasive malignant disease unless disease-free for at least 5 years or more, with the exception of non-melanoma skin cancer

Other

• Unable or unwilling to complete QOL questionnaires
• Pregnant or lactating women

• Age 18 years or older
• Willing to provide informed consent
• ECOG performance status 0-2
• Histologically confirmed squamous cell carcinoma
• HPV-negative tumor, as determined by: negative p16 status, real time PCR or in-situ hybridization. Central confirmation is not required prior to randomization. Equivocal/uncertain HPV status will be allowed on trial.
• Primary tumor site in the oropharynx (includes tonsil, soft palate, base of tongue, walls of oropharynx)
• Tumor stage: T1 or T2, with likely negative resection margins at surgery
• Nodal stage: N0-3. Patients with positive nodal disease and extranodal extension on imaging may be included at the surgeon's discretion, if the nodal disease is deemed resectable by the operating surgeon.
• Eligible for curative intent treatment, with likely negative resection margins at surgery. For patients where adequate transoral access is in question, they will first undergo an examination under anesthesia prior to randomization to ensure adequate exposure can be obtained.
• Blood work obtained within 4 weeks prior to randomization, with adequate bone marrow function, hepatic, and renal function, as determined by the investigator.
• Patient assessed by a radiation oncologist and surgeon and presented at multidisciplinary tumor board prior to randomization. If not feasible, case can be discussed with study Principal Investigator.