Baseline peripheral blood leukocytosis: Biological marker predicts outcome in oropharyngeal cancer, regardless of HPV-status

Over 500,000 new cases with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) are annually diagnosed worldwide [1]. The incidence of HNSCC is increasing mainly because of the increasing number of patients with human papilloma virus (HPV) positive oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) [2]. Currently, 45 –90% of patients newly diagnosed with OPC test positive for HPV infection [3]. Patients with early-stage OPC are nowadays treated either by means of radiotherapy or transoral robotic or laser surgery, with or without adjuvant radiotherapy.

Source: Oral Oncology - February 11, 2018 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Zeno A.R. Gouw, Jan Paul de Boer, Arash Navran, Michiel W.M. van den Brekel, Jan-Jakob Sonke, Abrahim Al-Mamgani Source Type: research