The multicenter registry "oropharyngeal cancer" of the German ENT Study Center - First Results

Abstract

The number of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (OPSCC) caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) has increased significantly in recent years. However, no robust data exist on the incidence of HPV-associated OPSCC as well as their treatment in central Europe. The aim is to establish an epidemiological register of patients with OPSCC in central Europe. To close the evidence gap on p16-positive OPSCC, a prospective multicenter registry on incidence, risk factors and treatment of OPSCC in certified Head and Neck Tumor Centers according to the German Cancer Society was established. Data collection was pseudonymously performed using the web-based Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap). In 2022 and 2023, 1312 patients with OPSCC from 34 centers were included. 720 patients (58.2 %) were p16-positive. The most common locations of p16-positive primary tumors were the tonsil (49.9 %) and the base of the tongue (28.7 %). 63.1 % of p16-positive OPSCC received primary surgical treatment, whereas only 48.0 % of p16-negative tumors received primary surgery. Differences are also evident in the adjuvant therapy: 58 % of p16-negative OPSCC did not receive adjuvant therapy after surgery, compared with 37.1 % of p16-positive OPSCC. The start of the OPSCC registry study was technically smooth. This registry provides an insight into the current care situation of OPSCC in German-speaking countries and will gain importance through the participation of more centers.