Treatment Of Oropharyngeal Cancer

Treatment of oropharyngeal cancer by stage

Stage I

Treatment might be radiation therapy or surgery.

Stage II

Treatment involves surgery to remove the cancer or radiation therapy.

Stage III

Treatment for this stage of oropharyngeal cancer might include surgery to remove the cancer, followed by radiation therapy.

Other treatments might include:

• Radiation therapy alone
• A clinical trial of chemotherapy that is followed by surgery or radiation therapy
• A clinical trial of chemotherapy combined with radiation therapy
• A clinical trial of new ways to provide radiation therapy

Stage IV

For cases in which oropharyngeal cancer can be removed by surgery, treatment might be one of the following:

• Surgery to remove the cancer that is followed by radiation therapy
• Radiation therapy alone
• A clinical trial combining radiation therapy and chemotherapy
• A clinical trial of new ways to provide radiation therapy

For cases in which the cancer cannot be removed by surgery, treatment might include one of the following:

• Radiation therapy
• A clinical trial during which chemotherapy is followed by surgery or radiation therapy
• A clinical trial of radiation therapy given with chemotherapy or radiosensitizers (drugs to make the cancer cells more sensitive to radiation therapy)
• A clinical trial of new ways of giving radiation therapy
• A clinical trial of hyperthermia therapy plus radiation therapy

What is the prognosis (chance of recovery) for people with oropharyngeal cancers?

The prognosis for people with oropharyngeal cancer depends on the age and health of the person and the stage of the disease. It is important for people with oral cancer or oropharyngeal cancer to have follow-up exams for the rest of their lives as cancer can occur in nearby areas. In addition, it is important to eliminate risk factors such as smoking and drinking, which increase the risk for second cancers.