Oropharyngeal Cancer News and Research

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Men face higher risk of late-stage cancer diagnoses than women

Between 2015 and 2022, men were more likely than women to be diagnosed with regional and/or distant stages of 20 nonreproductive solid cancer types in the United States, according to a study published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR).

6 Jul 2026

Bioengineered chewing gum reduces cancer-linked oral microbes

Researchers led by Henry Daniell of the School of Dental Medicine have shown that extracts from bioengineered chewing gum reduce the levels of three microbes known to be associated with head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC), paving the way for more effective and affordable therapies.

23 Apr 2026

Blood-based test could personalize treatment for patients with HPV-associated throat cancer

Researchers at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James) are advancing the understanding of a promising blood test that could personalize treatment and surveillance for patients with human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated throat cancer.

2 Apr 2026

Artificial intelligence improves risk stratification in oropharyngeal cancer

A team led by investigators at Mass General Brigham and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute has developed and validated an artificial intelligence (AI)–based noninvasive tool that can predict the likelihood that a patient's oropharyngeal cancer-a type of head and neck cancer that develops in the throat-will spread, thereby signaling which patients should receive aggressive treatment.

23 Dec 2025

Study links low physical activity to higher lymphedema risk after cancer treatment

Lymphedema after head and neck cancer is considerably more common than previously assumed and can persist long after cancer treatment has finished.

17 Dec 2025

Proton therapy improves survival in oropharyngeal cancer patients

A new study published today in The Lancet showed a significant survival benefit for patients with oropharyngeal cancers who were treated with proton therapy (IMPT) compared to those treated with traditional radiation therapy (IMRT).

11 Dec 2025

Proton therapy and IMRT show similar outcomes in head and neck cancer trial

A new phase III clinical trial finds that intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and proton beam therapy resulted in similar quality-of-life outcomes and low rates of side effects for people with locally advanced oropharyngeal cancer.

29 Sep 2025

Most Americans unaware that HPV causes multiple types of cancer

The human papillomavirus (HPV) can cause six types of cancer.

14 Aug 2025

HPV more common in men than women and linked to rising cancer rates

While the human papillomavirus (HPV) is most associated with cervical cancer risk and women, a new survey commissioned by The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James) shows that the majority of people are unaware that the virus is actually more common among men than women and is associated with rising rates of other cancers that directly impact men.

4 Mar 2025

CPRIT awards nearly $23 million to MD Anderson for cancer research projects

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center today was awarded nearly $23 million from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) in support of 20 cancer research projects to advance new breakthroughs in discovery, translational, clinical and prevention science.

20 Feb 2025

Standard chemoradiation outperforms de-intensified treatments in HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer

Researchers looking to de-intensify radiation treatments for people with early-stage, HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer to prevent long-term side effects halted a large, randomized phase II/III trial after patients in the control arm reached a record high, two-year progression-free survival rate of 98%.

30 Sep 2024

Low-cost videoscopes show promise for screening HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancers

The rise in the incidence of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (OPSCCs) linked to human papillomavirus (HPV)-16 infection has become notable, surpassing cervical high-risk HPV infections by 2019.

20 Aug 2024

Saliva test offers hope for head and neck cancer patients

But what if a mouthwash-based test to detect biomarkers can help physicians predict disease recurrence in head and neck cancer patients?

16 Aug 2024

Does cannabis use disorder increase the risk of head and neck cancer?

Researchers determine whether cannabis use disorder increases the risk of head and neck cancer.

12 Aug 2024

New recommendations for radiation therapy in HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer

A multi-disciplinary task force convened by the American Society for Radiation Oncology has issued new guidelines for radiation therapy for HPV-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC).

18 Jun 2024

Phase III trial highlights benefits of intensity modulated proton therapy for oropharyngeal cancer

According to preliminary data from a multi-institution Phase III trial led by researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT) achieved similar clinical outcomes and offered significant patient benefits when compared to traditional intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) as part of chemoradiation treatment for patients with oropharyngeal (head and neck) cancer.

6 Jun 2024

Urine-based test developed for early detection of head and neck tumors

Researchers from the University of Michigan Health Rogel Cancer Center have created a urine-based test that detects pieces of DNA fragments released by head and neck tumors.

16 Apr 2024

CPRIT awards MD Anderson 16 grants to support cancer research and prevention

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center today was awarded 16 grants totaling over $25.5 million from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) in support of cancer screening, early detection and prevention programs, faculty recruitment, and groundbreaking cancer research across all areas of the institution.

21 Feb 2024

Patients with HPV-related head and neck cancers treated in community centers less likely to survive

Care for patients with human papillomavirus (HPV)-related squamous cell cancers of the oropharynx (an area in back of the throat) is shifting toward community cancer centers, but patients treated in this setting may be less likely to survive, according to new research by investigators from the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center and its Head and Neck Cancer Center.

3 Jan 2024

Lymphatic fluid from surgical drains could inform more precise treatments for head and neck cancer

Lymphatic fluid from surgical drains, which is usually tossed in the trash, is a treasure in the hands of University of Pittsburgh and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis researchers who found that this liquid could inform more precise treatments for patients with head and neck cancer caused by human papillomavirus (HPV).

11 Dec 2023