Association of
HPV
Status With Quality of Life After Transoral Robotic Surgery for T1–T2 Oropharyngeal Carcinoma
Paolo Tesauro, Michel Khalaf, Ingrid Breuskin, Giuseppe Mercante, Stéphane Temam, Philippe Gorphe ABSTRACT
Background
In T1–T2 oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC), factors associated with patient‐reported quality of life after transoral robotic surgery (TORS) are poorly defined.
Methods
Retrospective cohort of 59 patients with T1–T2 OPSCC treated with TORS. Swallowing‐related quality of life (MD Anderson Dysphagia Inventory, MDADI) and EORTC QLQ‐C30/QLQ‐H&N35 scores were analyzed with mixed‐effects models adjusted for HPV status, subsite, adjuvant treatment and, in sensitivity analyses, lifestyle factors, age, tumor stage, and preoperative scores.
Results
HPV‐positive status was independently associated with higher MDADI scores ( β = 12.39, p = 0.001), including after adjustment for preoperative scores ( β = 16.0, p = 0.004), and with lower QLQ‐H&N35 symptom burden ( β = −9.5, p = 0.012). Adjuvant radiotherapy was associated with lower MDADI scores ( β = −7.92, p = 0.021), attenuated after adjustment for tumor stage. Tumor subsite was not associated with outcomes.
Conclusions
HPV‐positive patients report better swallowing‐related quality of life after TORS, independently of preoperative scores.