Question 1

is oropharyngeal cancer curable?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Oropharyngeal cancer is potentially curable, depending on the stage. It is treated either by surgical removal of the tumor, or with radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

Question 2

can a stage iv oropharyngeal cancer be surgically removed?

Accepted Answer

Stage IV: In most diseases means cancer traveled to far off places, but  bilateral large neck nodes and tumors extending large and beyondboundaries can be stage iv. It does mean chemo & chemo rt go first, neck surgical disection may be next.

Question 3

could stage iva oropharyngeal cancer be surgically removed?

Accepted Answer

Possibly: Robotics have changed how some of these are removed.  Sometimes removing a very bulky tumor causes too many speech and swallowing problems.  You need an ENT who specializes in head and neck cancer surgery, and works with a team of specialists in radiation therapy and medical oncology.  A tumor like that generally needs all three types of therapies.

Question 4

can stage 4 oropharyngeal cancer be surgically removed, or it is too late?

Accepted Answer

Usually not: Chemo_radiation is usual treatment for stage 4 disease.

Question 5

what do you recommend for oropharyngeal cancer?

Accepted Answer

It depends: It depends on the staging. Surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy are modalities that we use to treat oropharyngeal cancer. Whether one needs chemotherapy first prior to surgery then surgery or chemo and radiation only -or surgery and chemo/radiation etc- all will depend on the stage. Multiple disciplines/specialties many times are required.

Question 6

what are the early symptoms of oropharyngeal cancer?

Accepted Answer

Anything: Cancer can have no symptoms at all or can have areas of soreness and  difficulty in performing everyday functions, such as eating, talking, etc.  If you have any concerns at all, it is best to visit your dentist or ENT physician so he/she can rule out any possibilities of cancer.

Question 7

do lots of people get oropharyngeal cancer, or is it unusual?

Accepted Answer

Not very common: Oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas are relatively uncommon malignancies with approximately 123, 000 cases of oropharyngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer diagnosed worldwide each year.

Question 8

do doctors see a lot of patients with oropharyngeal cancer?

Accepted Answer

Certain doctors do: Medical oncologist, radiation oncologists and ear nose and throat doctors see a lot of cases of oropharyngeal cancer.

Question 9

is there a picture of oropharyngeal cancer on the web somewhere?

Accepted Answer

Yes: I'm sure if you simply google oropharygeal cancer under the images tab, you will find what you are looking for.

Question 10

is there a substantial risk of contracting hpv-positive oropharyngeal cancer from someone?

Accepted Answer

Very hot topic: The infectivity of oral hpv is very high, and despite salacaious thoughts to the contrary, the most efficient way is osculation (kissing). While infectivity is high, carcinogenesis is quite low. So, many are infected very few develop cancers. The same is true for oro-genital/ano-genital transmission.

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Doctor answers about:

Is oropharyngeal cancer curable

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Is oropharyngeal cancer curable?

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Can a stage iv oropharyngeal cancer be surgically removed?

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Could stage iva oropharyngeal cancer be surgically removed?

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Can stage 4 oropharyngeal cancer be surgically removed, or it is too late?

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What do you recommend for oropharyngeal cancer?

A member asked:

What are the early symptoms of oropharyngeal cancer?

A member asked:

Do lots of people get oropharyngeal cancer, or is it unusual?

A member asked:

Do doctors see a lot of patients with oropharyngeal cancer?

A member asked:

Is there a picture of oropharyngeal cancer on the web somewhere?

A member asked:

Is there a substantial risk of contracting hpv-positive oropharyngeal cancer from someone?

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