Unique Patterns of Distant Metastases in HPV-Positive Head and Neck Cancer (original) (raw)

Background: HPV-positive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HPV+ HNSCC) demonstrates favorable outcomes compared to HPV-negative SCC, but distant metastases (DM) still occur. The pattern of DM in HPV+ HNSCC is unclear. Methods: 1,494 HNSCC patients were treated from 2006 to 2012. Recurrence time and metastatic sites in HPV+ HNSCC (Group 1) were compared to patients with HPV-negative/unknown cancers arising in the hypopharynx, larynx, or glottis (Group 2) as well as to patients with HPV-negative/unknown cancers in theoral cavity, oropharynx, hard palate, or tonsil (Group 3). Results: 7/109 (6.4%) patients with HPV+ HNSCC developed DM. The median time to metastases was 11 months. At a median follow-up of 18–25 months, there was no difference in the overall rate of DM for the HPV+ HNSCC group compared to Group 2 (HPV–/unknown) (p = 0.21) and Group 3 (HPV–/unknown) (p = 0.13). There was a significant difference in the rate of DM to the lung in the HPV+ HNSCC group compared to Group ...