De-escalating radiotherapy in HPV-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma: how much is too little?

Abstract

Oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) had a rapidly increasing incidence rate in high-income countries, with a significant increase in cases related to human papilloma virus (HPV). HPV-positive (HPV+) OPSCC has shown better survival rates compared with HPV-negative (HPV-) cases, prompting investigations into de-escalation strategies to reduce or change chemoradiotherapy protocols. We present a case of a patient with HPV+ OPSCC who discontinued chemoradiotherapy after 2 weeks, effectively receiving a de-escalated dose of 18 Gy over nine fractions and only one cycle of cisplatin, subsequently undergoing curative surgical resection with no residual disease in the radiotherapy field 14 years later. This case challenges the concept of standard radiotherapy dosing in HPV+ OPSCC and discusses the implications on future de-escalation trials.