Pretreatment prognostic factor for patients with human papillomavirus related oropharyngeal cancer

In recent years, the incidence of human papillomavirus related oropharyngeal cancer (HPV-OPC) has been increased worldwide (1). Although HPV-OPC often has advanced nodal disease, many patients with HPV-OPC are younger and have better response rates to treatment, resulting in better prognosis compared to traditional alcohol- and smoking-related OPC (2). Thus, HPV infection status is now well known as one of the most significant prognostic factors in OPC patients.